(Revised and improved. Enjoy!)
2004
Lingering in the door, Rachel stands there and simply says "I got off the plane." I whip around with the look of shock and amazement "You got off the plane" I walk up to her and without hesitation, kiss her with every ounce of love I have for her.
Rachel looks at me lovingly. "I do love you"
"I love you too, and I am never letting you go again" I say adoringly.
"Okay, because this is where I want ro be. No more messing around. I don't want to mess this up again" she says matter of factly.
"Me neither, we're done being stupid"
Agreeing with me Rachel nods "Okay, it's you and me, all right? This is it."
"This is it. Unless we're on a break." Rachel just shakes her head & gives me this blank look as I look down and mumble to myself. "Don't make jokes now." I lean in and kiss her, lingering in it slowly.
We break away, my hands shaking as they rest on her shoulders. I look into her beautiful blue eyes, still wrapping my brain around what just happened. She got off the plane. I look over and realize my apartment door is wide open. I step aside and close it quietly and lock it. I turn to her, smile nervously and surprisingly unsure on what to do now. This was the last thing that I was expecting. I thought I lost her for good. When she turned and walked on to that plane after I told her how much I loved her, I knew then I would never be able to fall in love with another woman again. But, here she is standing in my living room telling me she loves me too. And I honestly don't know what to do next.
"So, uh, how about some wine?" I walk into the kitchen, looking over my wine collection then I find the perfect bottle. Rachel's favorite Chardonnay. I quickly grab two wine glasses and shuffle out into the living room, smiles to see she is still standing in the spot where I left her. "Or...or I could order us some dinner." I tuck the bottle under my arm as I rummage through my desk drawer with all the take-out menus. "So, what are you in the mood for? Chinese? Indian curry, pizza...Italian, I know it's your favorite."
Rachel just shakes her head slightly and gives out a little giggle. "No, I'm good Ross. Although wine sounds pretty good right now. Let's just go sit down, relax and talk, okay?" She gives me a smile that always has a hint of mischief as she holds out her hand. "Come on"
I hold her hand as we walk around over to the couch and sit down. I still can't believe that she's here, with me. She decided to stay. To be with me. She loves me, she said it. She actually admitted it for real. Now all these plans are running through my head. I will get to finally fulfill them on the simple fact that she stayed. But I tell myself to remain calm, and not rush into things as I pour the wine. I hand a glass off to her and we both take a sip. Feeling a bit more relaxed, I lean back and she does the same. I swing my arm around behind her and hold her in my arms. I fidget with the stem of my wine glass, suddenly aware of how nervous I must seem. I mean, it's not like I haven't been alone with her in a room before. For God's sake, we have had sex 299 times. Then last night happened, and it became our 300th time. But I am nervous none-the-less. So for now I am fine with just having her here by my side.
"How's the wine, Rach?"
"She grins" "It's really good. Thanks"
"I know how much you like Chardonnay...are you sure you don't want anything else, sweetie?" I look at her questioningly.
She just nods again. "I'm sure, hun. The wine is enough."
Silence falls in the room as we sip on our wine for what seems like an eternity but I glance at my watch and notice just a few minutes have passed. And that's okay. A lot has happened today. I became an uncle to twins. Wow, I have a niece and a nephew. I almost lost the love of my life but she is safely in my arms. So here we sit in the beautiful silence. Rachel reaches up and holds my hand that is draped over her shoulders, softly rubbing her thumb across the top of my hand while her wine glass occupies the other hand. I know a million things must be going through her head. Because a million thoughts are going through mine. So much I want to say, but won't right now. I can't bombard her and ruin this moment that we're in. Just pure of blissful happy moment, a time I had only felt once before with her. The day Emma was born. It was amazing. Just me and her in the delivery room. And of course the doctor and staff, but as far as family and friends, there were none. It was just us. So here we sit, cuddled close, and drinking our wine. I look over and see her head is bowed, I set my glass down and gently pull her chin up and look lovingly at her.
"Rach, I know you're probably scared at the moment. I just want you to know from here on out I will do everything it takes to make you happy, to make our daughter happy. I promise. I want nothing more than to live a life with you." I let out a soft sigh.
"Ross, sweetie, I admit I am a little scared. Just because I feel like we are starting something new and exciting. Like I explained to you about going to Paris. And I know you will do whatever it takes. I want nothing more than to have a life with you too. What we had but never allowed us to have just took time for me to realize that it is really what I wanted. And for us to stop being so stubborn." She giggles.
"Yeah, I don't think stubborn is the right word... Stupid, maybe." I grin.
"Stupid's a good word." Rachel chuckles softly and takes off her boots and curls her legs under her and drapes her arm across my chest. Something she always did when we would be here watching TV or a movie. "Ross...what about my stuff, it's all heading to Paris. I have no clothes...and we should probably call my mother too."
"Rach, it'll be all right. I have a t-shirt you could sleep in. Then tomorrow we can go shopping." She grins widely and kisses me. A way into that woman's heart is definitely shopping. "It's pretty late, shouldn't we just call your mother in the morning?" She nods. "We'll have your stuff sent back, so don't worry sweetie" I softly kiss the side of her head as she sighs contently and rests her head on my shoulder. I give her tiny frame a gentle squeeze.
"I love you, Rachel..." I gaze down at her.
"I love you too, Ross..." She smiles up at me, kisses me softly.
We sit again in silence for a few moments, when my phone rings and we both jump. I leaned over to see who's calling and decide not to answer it. Instead, I turn my phone off for the night. I clear my throat. "Rach, I want to say something, it's been on my mind for a long time now. And I had no reason to say it, until now."
She raises her brow in confusion. "Wh-what is it, Ross?"
I sit up, bringing my hands in my lap, keeping my head down. "Back when we were dating, I think we let everyone in on our relationship. When what we should have done was give them only what they needed to know. That's probably why my sister and Chandler's relationship is as strong as it is. Because, first they hid it from us for so long and secondly, when they got married they really relied on each other to work out any problems. So, I guess what I am saying is.'" I looked over at her. "Can we keep things more to ourselves? I'm not saying you not talk with Monica and Phoebe. But if we fight, let's try to work it out first and not talk about it to everyone. If I piss you off for some reason, talk to me. I want to work things out with just you."
She sighs. "Wow...are you saying this because it was one of our friends calling?"
I nod slowly. "Yeah, it was Monica. They will probably all be pounding on my door tomorrow... At least Joey or Phoebe will be."
She grins. "Because all they know is that I'm gone, while you're here heartbroken." She laughs. "Oh God. Ross we need to tell them tomorrow."
"I want to do something first. I want to go away for the rest of the weekend, just us. We have so much to talk about and like I said, I really don't want everyone in our relationship until we can figure stuff out. Then on Sunday we can pick up Emma. I can call Phoebe and Joey to meet us at the coffee house to explain everything. After all that, then we can go see Monica and Chandler to spend time with them and the babies. Okay?" I wait in anticipation for an answer.
She nods excitedly. "Yes! That sounds amazing, honey. I know the perfect place we can go. It isn't too far out of the city. It's the most romantic little inn. And the shopping in this little town is to die for!" I laugh seeing her eyes light up, I kiss the top of her head.
"Sounds like the best place to be." I take a few sips of wine, she finishes her then pours us more. I just can't stop looking at her. And the kissing. That was one of my favorite things to do with her. Her lips feel like satin, taste with a hint of sweet nectar. I cup her face and kiss her soft and tenderly. Then holds her in my arms as we fall back into the couch. Neither one of us needing more than these gentle kisses and touches. It's just what I need, at least for now. And after a few glasses of wine, the stress of the day finally hits me. Wanting more than anything to take her to bed and not necessarily to make love to her, although that would be real nice, but just to lay there and hold her. But I am unable to move. It seems unfair to move her when she looks so peaceful just being here on the couch. I watch her as her eyes grow heavy and eventually drifts off to sleep. I just hold her close lovingly watch her sleep, placing soft kisses once in awhile on the top of her head as I fall asleep. And for the first time in my life I dream of nothing because my dream is real, in my arms. Finally!
A/N
I have been wanting to write this story for such a long time and three years ago I thought I was ready and prematurely posted a chapter. Since then I let my life sweep me away I was not inspired however now I feel that I know exactly where I want my story to go & my characters to go. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I'm having fun writing it. The rating is changing for the story in the chapter and moving forward. Enjoy and thank you for the great reviews!
