Synopsis: A Ross and Rachel Valentines Day story. Join Ross and Rachel as they experience a winter vacation in the Catskills. The story will also include some events in New York City. Eventually all of the FRIENDS will be included. Hope you enjoy the story.

Disclaimer: I have and never will own these characters.

Story: Winter Wonderland

Chapter 1: Inspiration and Love


A soft mountain breeze encircled the Catskills Winter Festival lodgers as they huddled around the campfire reflecting on the past day's activities while sharing Smores and hot rum apple cider. Ross Geller and Rachel Green had joined these other city dwellers attending annual festivities such as, The Carnival, ice skating parties along with skiing in Bellayere. They had also attended art displays from the historical Woodstock. Their evenings were occupied with fireside winter barbeques at the local hotel cafe followed by streamside campfires. The Catskills, known as the forgotten mountains; provided a rustic atmosphere and clear mountain air. The industrial free atmosphere provided a tranquil change from the hustle and bustle of the city.

As the temperature began dropping, Ross and Rachel left the campfire for the comfort and warmth of their lodge. Before retiring, they decided to share Hennessy Cognacs together on the couch in front of the rustic stone fireplace. After Ross delivered their warm cognacs they leaned back on the couch relaxing while enjoying the crackling fire. Light reflecting from the fire pronounced Rachel's thick hair and perfectly toned skin. Ross put his arm around her, leaned over and gently kissing her. In his eyes she was almost perfect.

Rachel swirled her warm cognac around in the lead crystal glass. "Ross, I so do love it here. The fresh air and natural atmosphere leaves you with a feeling of inspiration", Rachel softly replied as she gently placed her head on his shoulder. She could hear every beat of his heart.

Ross quickly finished his cognac. Setting the empty glass on the table, he stood up holding out his hand for her to follow him. With their arms wrapped tightly around each other they climbed the stairway to their awaiting love nest.

Early the next morning Ross awoke, eager to take in the early morning view from their balcony. He threw back the wedding ring patterned quilted bedspread in their rustic country styled room and grabbed the hotel's complementary cotton robe, wrapping it snugly around him. He opened the door to their private wooden balcony and stepped outside. Pine trees covered with the early morning frost covered the mountainsides. The recent blanket of snow was slowly making its journey down the mountainside into the awaiting mountain streams. The breathtaking view reminded him of a picturesque postcard. Nature was truly in full force. Ross opened up his lungs taking in a fresh breath of morning air. The clear crisp air was free of industrialized odor. Even though he was a Paleontologist, this scenery was not by any means a force that could be analyzed. It was nature at its finest. Perhaps some of this newly found appreciation stemmed from his progressive relationship the past two years with Rachel and Emma. Ross was skeptical in the beginning how their relationship would progress, however; Rachel was willing to give when asked and seemed content to be working only part time at Ralph Lauren. This left her more free time to be spend with him and their three-year old daughter Emma.

Rachel awoke and immediately spotted Ross standing solo on the balcony. He appeared peaceful so she decided not to disturb him. Instead, she showered, dressed in customized blue jeans topped with a Prada red turtleneck cashmere sweater. She softly pulled her hair back into a ponytail before leaving for the hotel lobby. She needed her usual cup of morning coffee. The hotel's fresh Catskill organically brewed coffee would fill that bill.

Rachel carried her mug of freshly brewed coffee to the fireplace and sat down on the couch. The fire from the evening before had been reduced to embers. She looked over at the checkout counter. The couple from the honeymoon suite was checking out. Rachel watched them until they left the hotel. She hated to admit it; she was envious. For distraction she picked up a flyer from the coffee table and began reading the list of scheduled daily activities.

Rachel finished her coffee and stood up to go back to their room just as Ross came down the stairway. He stopped at the desk and began conversing with the hotel clerk.

Ross turned and soon spotted Rachel setting on the couch by the fireplace. Walking over he inquired, "So Rach, what's on the itinerary for today?"

"Well, according to this flyer, they are having some good sales in the village. Can we go, please?" Rachel excitedly inquired.

Even though shopping was not his favorite pastime he agreed by somewhat emphatically replying, "Ok. Just don't buy out every store."

A few hours later, Ross and Rachel stepped off the bus, several packages in tow. Rachel had never lost the shopping fever and consequently didn't miss one store. Ross motioned a Porter over to deliver the packages to their room. "How about a walk before dinner?" Ross leaned over inquiring while taking her hand.

Rachel took his hand as they walked down the walkway. Ross stopped and was checking out some scenery when a snowball hit him squarely in the back. He turned around with a somewhat angry expression on his face. Rachel seeing his anger; muffled her laughter and began running back to the hotel. He soon caught up grabbing her around the waist. She squealed as they both fell into the snow. They frolicked around in the snow ending it by making angels in the snow. They walked into the hotel lobby drenched, water steadily dripping from their clothes onto the waxed wooden floor. The hotel manager ordered them to stay by the door while he paged a room steward to deliver fresh dry towels to the lobby. For a short moment they felt like their three-year old daughter.

"Rach, I'm going down to the lobby to check on our dinner reservation", Ross hollered at Rachel in the bathroom.

"I'll join you there in about half an hour. Before you leave, put Emma's new toys in the suitcase?"

A few minutes later Rachel was putting the final touches on her makeup when she heard a knock on the door. She stood there somewhat confused. Who could that be? Did Ross lose his key?

Rachel opened the door. "For you Madame", the hotel attendant replied while handing her a folded note. She politely thanked him with a tip and closed the door. She opened the note. It was from Ross and read: Meet me in front of the hotel. PS; dress warmly.

All thoughts left her mind as she put on her Prada bubble jacket and gloves before grabbing her room key from the dresser. While passing through the lobby some lodgers looked at her smiling grimly. Rachel opened the hotel door. What the...Ross stood smiling from ear to ear beside a horse-drawn sleigh.

"Your carriage my lady", Ross held out his hand while helping her into the sleigh. After they were seated, the driver instructed them to cover themselves with the provided wool blankets before motioning the horses to take off.

The sleigh passed throughout the meadows. While the smell of fresh pine filled the air, sleigh bells sounded as the horses dashed through the snow. The white winter enchantment scenery was breathtaking. It was truly a Winter Wonderland.

Suddenly the driver stopped the sleigh, left his seat instructing them that he needed to give the horses a rest. At that very moment, Ross pulled a small package out from under the blankets. Rachel's heart stopped, waiting so long for this moment she intuitively knew what the package contained. She nervously opened it. A beautiful five-karat diamond with two rubies on either side sparkled back at her.

"The two rubies represent Emma and myself and the diamond represents my love and devotion to you", Ross lovingly explained as he removed her glove before sliding the engagement ring onto her finger.

"Rachel, will you marry me?"
To be continued in Chapter 2

A/N: I traveled to Alaska (twice) and experienced the same inspirational feeling revealed in this story. The State of Alaska is industrial free, making the air clean and clear. Also, I have so always wanted to take a sleigh ride. Hopefully some day that dream will come true.