What if Ross had not followed Rachel to the airport and declared his love for her? This story revolves around Thanksgiving and feelings of a career conflicting with family needs. This fic will only include 2-3 chapters.
Disclaimer: I do not own these characters.
Story: Thanksgiving Reunion
Chapter 1: Common Sense Makes a Difference
As a small soft blanket of snow coated the ground in Westchester County, Monica Bing pulled a twenty-pound turkey from the oven rack and placed it on the counter beside the already prepared pumpkin pies, dressing and freshly baked sweet potatoes. Monica grabbed the baby monitor from the counter and placed it next to her ear. She breathed a sigh of relief...no unusual noises...Jack and Erica were still asleep. In the dinning room Judy Geller leaned over the festively decorated table and lit candles before placing festive napkins at each setting. Chandler standing in the doorway affirmed that all chairs were properly spaced around the table. Staying out of everyone's way, Jack Geller sat in the living room drinking hot cider while catching up on articles in the recently published New York Posts. In the far corner of the kitchen, an oppressed Ross Geller downed another glass of wine. Ross normally loved sharing family festivities around the holidays, however; this year his festive moods had been somewhat repressed. Rachel and his two-year old Emma were not here. Because of Rachel's job, they were now living in Paris. This was the first year they would not be sharing Thanksgiving together. Emma would be spending Christmas Holidays with him, however; that potential was not enough to fill his feelings of emptiness. Angry, Ross forcefully placed the empty glass on the table…it was Thanksgiving, why weren't they here?
It was 6:00 pm in Paris, the city of light. Rachel sat in her upscale Louis Vuitton office punching in the last entry of the day into her computer. As she signatured and typed in the date she noted it was Thursday November 25th. Saddened, she leaned back in her leather chair. In the states families were now gathering in homes sharing Thanksgiving festivities. Rachel closed her eyes and began reflecting past Thanksgivings. She pictured Monica at the helm preparing turkey and stuffing…setting around the table, sharing festive moments together with her friends…the most important friend being her past love Ross Geller. Ross…suddenly an empty feeling began to overwhelm her. Shaking off the overwhelming feelings of loneliness, she stood placed required documents in her leather case and left the office. Perhaps being around Emma would fill up that empty feeling.
Monica observing her brother's repressed state walked over and placed her hand on his shoulder for comfort, "Ross what is going on bro?"
Embarrassed not to be too revealing that it was still Rachel's absence he was frustrated with he looked downward, "It's the holidays and I miss my daughter. She was always around on the holidays."
"Oh that's sweet you miss your daughter, however; I think your frustration and anger is related more towards Rachel than Emma."
Ross somewhat angry that Monica put Rachel over Emma turned and angrily replied, "I miss Emma, that's it." Monica realizing she couldn't influence him went back to her cooking.
As Rachel opened the door to their apartment an excited Emma came running to her with a card, "Emm's, what do you have there?"
The two-year old that was a reflection of her Mother looked up through her bangs, "Card…from Daddy?"
Rachel excited that it was from Ross leaned down and looked at her two-year old while stroking her hair, "Emma, can I look at your card?"
Emma handed her Mother the card. Rachel looked at the card…it was a Thanksgiving card signed by Ross with a message: Miss you; wish you were here. Saddened and lonely, Rachel took in a deep breath. "Emma, it's time for bed. I'll read you a story, ok?" After she put her daughter to bed for the night she made herself a cup of tea and sat down on the couch. The Thanksgiving card from Ross was lying on the coffee table. Nervously, she picked it up…noticing the signature she had seen so many times before. Saddened and somewhat lonely, she fell onto the couch and cried for nearly two hours. She missed him so much.
After the four-course meal Monica and Judy Geller retired to the kitchen to finish cleaning up while the men retired to the family room downstairs to watch football and drink some Eggnog. Chandler sat back in his leather chair attempted to get into the game, however; Ross' sadness was beginning to affect the atmosphere in a negative manner. Chandler stood up and forcefully demanded Ross follow him to the Den.
"Ok Ross, so what's going on with you?"
Ross guilty that he was the reason for the downtrodden atmosphere figured it was time to reveal his pain, "It's my first Thanksgiving without Emma and Rachel."
Chandler reflected back to his childhood. He was fully aware of how it felt to be abandoned by your family on Thanksgiving. "What exactly happened between the two of you before Rachel left for Paris?"
Ross not wanting to go back to that painful time sat down and reluctantly began relating the story, "Well…Rachel somewhat angrily revealed to me that I was the one she would most miss…so to confirm our feelings for one another we slept together. I thought it was great but evidently not enough for her because within a few hours she appeared anxious to leave."
Chandler realizing he needed to pull Ross's feelings forward further delved into their, "Did you tell her to stay or more important that you were still in love with her?"
Ross astonished by the frank question, looked up, "No."
"NO…you've got to be kidding me!!!"
Ross somewhat shocked by the angry reply innocently inquired, "What do you mean?"
Chandler leaned over and placed his hand on his forehead in frustration, "Ross, where in hell is your common sense…I mean…how dumb can you be? Ross, sleeping with someone you have been involved with and not being able to state those words is like a slap in the face."
Ross angry with Chandler's sermon turned and stormed out of the house.
Monica noticing his sudden exit quickly inquired of Chandler, "What happened?"
Chandler stood there silent shaking his head in frustration.
Ross entered into one of the sleaziest bars in the Village. The darkened, smoky atmosphere matched his oppressed emotions. Looking around he bar he spotted an empty stool at the bar. As he slid onto the stool a youthful longhaired bartender walked over to take his order, "What can I get you?"
"Any beer you have on tap", Ross replied while removing his gloves and coat.
"Hi gorgeous, I'm Nora. Can I buy you a drink?" a somewhat older woman held out her hand in introduction as she slid onto the stool next to him. Ross looked over discovering a half drunken woman that appeared to have been through a life of hard knocks. Nora's clothing attire appeared way to young for her age, fit her way too tightly and had periodic stains. Her red hair appeared messy and unattended to. As she attempted to line the lighter up to light the cigarette he noted her hands shaking. Ross feeling uncomfortable and needing to avoid any more of her advances downed his beer as fast as possible and quickly left the bar. While placing his door key in the lock of his car he suddenly felt someone's presence. He turned around and found Nora standing a few feet behind him. In a slightly drunken manner, she made her way over and stood next to him. Snuggling up next to him she reached out and softly began to rub his back, "Hey sexy...how about driving me home?"
Rachel awoke in somewhat of a daze. She rose up and looked over at the digital clock on the end table for the time…it was midnight. She sat upright on the couch and wiped away leftover tears from her face. An idea had suddenly filtered through her mind. Enthused, she reached for her purse, frantically searching for her blackberry. Locating the palm-sized computer, she nervously punched in "Charles de Gaulle International Airport Phone Number" in Google and hit the search button.
to be continued
Does the woman in the bar remind anyone of a character in a movie? I will reveal that answer in the next chapter.