Meant To Be

Ross took Rachel into the nearest hospital and wheeled her to the front desk. Ross was out of breathe. He couldn't believe this was happening. "Hi... my friend's ...water broke..and she is going...into labor." The receptionist at the front desk responded, "Yes, I can see that. There is a room available. Let me take her to it."

Rachel grabbed Ross' hand and screamed, "NO. Ross I want you to stay with me. I don't want to be by myself." Ross just smiled at her and squeezed her hand. "Of course I will stay with you." Rachel was so relieved. She could not be alone right now. This was not supposed to be happening. "Thank you."

Ross wheeled her into her room and thankfully it was a private room. Once she got settled into bed Ross was getting up to leave but she pulled on his arm. Rachel was starting to panic again.

"Where are you going? I'm scared. I don't want to be alone."

"Rachel, relax. I was just going to get you some ice chips to chew on, but I'll stay here with you okay. Calm down okay. There is nothing to be scared of" She was beginning to calm down. "I know but I wasn't ready for this to happen today. She's early, I mean I'm never early. I cannot believe this. My apartment isnt even done."

"Sweetie, calm down. Everything is going to be fine. You said the baby's room is ready and you have everything you need, okay. It will be fine." After he finished speaking he realized what he said. Oh my god, did I just call her sweetie? Shit. Rachel was smiling. She heard what he just called her. Oh my god, he just called me sweetie.

"Thanks Ross. I don't know what I would do without you." She grabbed him and pulled him into a tight hug. She felt so comfortable with him. She has never felt this way before. Ross just hugged her back. She smelled so good and she fit perfectly in his arms. They finally seperated and he took the seat next to her on the bed and they held eachothers hand lacing their fingers together and smiled at eachother the whole time.

A few hours and many contractions later Rachel was ready to go into the delivery room. Rachel was starting to freak out again. Her baby was coming. She was going to be a mom. "Ross, please come with me. I can't do this without you." Ross couldn't believe she wanted him in the delivery room with her and see the birth of her daughter. He thought it seemed a little crazy but he didnt care. He never felt this way for anyone before, not even his wife. He just wanted to be with her. "Don't worry Rachel. I will be with you the whole time."

Rachel was pushing as hard as she could through her contractions. The doctor said, "Rachel, you have to push harder. Nothing is happening."

"I can't do it Ross. It's too hard and it hurts so much."

"I know Rachel, but you can do it. Just think, in a few minutes you are going to be holding your little baby girl in your arms. Hold my hand and push as hard as you can, okay. One final push! Ready? 1...2...3!" She squeezed his hand as she pushed and screamed. "AHHHHHH" Then she heard it. The cries of her daughter. She did it. Her baby was here. "You did it Rach, she's beautiful." The nurse brought the baby over to Rachel and she finally got to hold her. She started to cry.

"Oh, hey you. Thanks for coming out of me.(The bay started to cry) I know. Oh. Yeah. Oh, she's looking at me. Hi! I know you." Ross was rubbing the hair out of her face and couldn't believe how beautiful Rachel was at that moment. He just looked into her eyes.

"You did so great"

"Thank you." There was moment shared between them that could not be explained. To them no one else was in the room except the three of them.

Rachel was taken to another room where she can be with her baby. Rachel was in bed holding the baby with Ross right next to her rubbing the baby's arm. Their moment was interrupted when the doctor came in. She asked, "Do you guys have a name for her yet?"

Rachel asnwered, "No, not yet. Oh my god Ross, what am I going to do?"

Ross tried to calm her once again. "It's okay. You'll think of something and when you do it will be perfect just like her." She couldn't believe it. He knew exactly what to say to her everytime she got upset. She was so comforted by his words. "Well, do you have any suggestions?"

"Oh, I dont know. You should come up with it."

"Come on tell me. I really have no names in mind."

"Okay, well my sister always loved this name and so do I." He paused for a moment. "Well what is it?"

"Emma."

"Emma." She started to cry. "I love it. Do you mind if I use the name?"

"Be my guest. She's clearly an Emma." Rachel looked down at the baby in her arms. "Oh, hi Emma. Yeah, that's you. You're our little Emma. I love you so much." She kissed Emma's forehead and looked up at Ross. She started to cry again. "Thank you so much for being with me today. I don't know what I'd do if you weren't here. You have no idea how much it means to me to share this with someone and I am so glad it was you. Thank you."

"Well I am glad it was me too." He put a strand of hair behind her ear and then stroked Emma's face. Rachel just looked on as Ross was being so gentle with her daughter. She couldn't believe how much she liked him and wanted to be with him. She thought this was the happiest day of her life and she will never forget it. Ross then got up and told her he would be right back. When Ross returned to her room he found Emma in the hospital crib and Rachel was sound asleep. He came in the room with a bouqet of flowers and was planning on giving them to her but he did not want to wake her. She looked so peaceful. He couldn't believe how beautiful she was. She truly was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen and he couldn't believe she wanted to share the birth of her daughter with him. He liked her so much and wanted to spend as much time as he can with her. He didn't want to disturb her though, so he decided to go home and come back tomorrow. He figured she needed some time alone with Emma. He left the flowers next to her bed along with a note. He whispered goodnight to her and left. He couldn't wait for tomorrow.