Rachel couldn't believe what was happening. The first three years had been so good, so how could things have gone so wrong? She had been sure it would work out this time and that's when Rachel walked into Ross's apartment and handed him the divorce papers, she didn't have anything to say.
Trying to get back together had been a mistake – she could see that now, but as Ross signed she didn't feel angry about how their relationship had played out; instead, she only felt sad.
Monica had been the one who took it the hardest when Rachel and Ross had sat down the remaining friends to tell them. She had been so happy to see her best friend and brother work through all their history and start over together. But she, and all the others, had been really supportive when the time had come for them to know. Well, all except for Joey, who was still in Los Angeles becoming a big star. Rachel hadn't had the heart to tell him, not even when Joey had called her spur of the moment to see how she was doing. Rachel had told herself that she would tell him things hadn't worked out with Ross, but when the time came and he asked her how the two of them were doing, she just couldn't. Perhaps it was because Ross had been the riff which stood between him and her all those years ago, or maybe it was simply because Joey was her dearest friend and didn't want him to feel badly for her, but Rachel just couldn't let him know what had happened. And besides, Joey was in L.A. He wasn't coming home anytime soon. He didn't need to know about her and Ross, not quite yet at least. So Rachel had asked the others to promise not to say anything until she'd told him. She'd find the right time to bring it up in conversation… eventually.
"So I guess this is really it, huh?" Ross's voice made her remember where she was. She was in Ross's apartment, the two-bedroom they had found together four years ago after Monica and Chandler had moved out into the suburbs with Jack and Erica. Ross's old place had become too cramped after Emma had begun to walk around much more, and both Rachel and Ross really hadn't wanted to live in a place which held so many awkward memories of their messed up past. They had originally planned to only stay there for a few years before moving out to join Monica and Chandler in the suburbs, but once the fighting started up again between them, Rachel knew buying a house out there wouldn't fix the problem.
"Yeah, I guess so." Rachel answered with a sigh.
A minute of silence passed between them before Ross spoke again.
"Four failed marriages. Gosh, I can't believe it. Now I really am Ross the divorcer."
Rachel shot him a small half smile.
"Ross, sweetie, I don't really think this is the time or place for a joke. No matter how true it is."
"I know, I know, Rach. I just really wish this would have worked."
Rachel reached out and gave Ross a hug. As her face rested upon his chest, she spoke.
"Me too, Ross. Me too."