Before I start this chapter I wanted to clear something up. I made a mistake in Chapter 2 of this story. I said that Emma was almost two, well I was wrong. By this point she would already be two. In my last story I mentioned that Ross and Rachel had been together for 6 months after she had gotten off the plane. When Rachel had gotten off the plane, it was May and Emma was already a year old. By the time this story takes place, three more months have passed. So Emma is already two years old in my story. The twins; Jack and Erica would be 9 months old by this point, so they are almost a year old. Sorry for the mistake and thanks for the alerts and reviews, I appreciate them. Enjoy this next chapter!
Forever You and Me, After All
Chapter 4
The Reception
After pictures were taken in the chapel, Ross, Rachel, Emma and the rest of the wedding party line up before going into the reception. It gives everyone a chance to give Ross and Rachel their love and congratulations. Ross holds Emma as she blows kisses to everyone as they walk by. Everyone gets a kick out of this.
Once everyone has given their congratulations, they all gather in the reception room. Emma squirms in Ross' arms, wanting down. Ross puts her down and as soon as her feet hit the floor she runs to catch up with her brother, Ben.
Ross and Rachel smile as they watch Emma wrap her arms around Ben's waist and then Ben leans over and kisses Emma on the head. They are happy to see the two of them get along so well. Even though Ben is 10, he loves his baby sister so much.
Once Ross and Rachel walk into the reception room, everyone stands up and claps. Ross and Rachel grab hands and smile at everyone. The caterer hands Ross and Rachel each a glass of champagne as everyone sits for the exception of Chandler.
"As the best man, it's my job to say a few words to Ross and Rachel and to say how much they mean to me. Ross, Rachel; you guys mean the world to me. I've been friends with the two of you for so many years. I've known Ross since college and I knew even then how much he loved Rachel. He has loved Rachel for so many years, and they have had many bumps in the road to get to where they are today. It took Ross and Rachel a long time to finally get it right and I for one am happy for them. I always knew that someday they would make it and finally get married. No two people deserve to be happy more than you two not only because of all that you have been through but also because you belong together. It makes me happy to see how much you two have grown not only as individuals but as a couple. They say that there is one person out there for everyone and I for one believe that because I, myself have found her. When I fell in love with Monica, nothing else in the world mattered. I had the love of an incredible, beautiful woman and I was going to do everything I could to make her happy."
Chandler pauses for a moment as he looks down at Monica and smiles at her. Monica smiles back at him as she takes his hand. He then looks back up at Ross and Rachel and continues.
"And that is what you two are to each other, you are with the person you are meant to be with for the rest of your lives. You two hold on to each other, and love each other and do whatever it takes to stay happy because you will never have this chance again. So in closing I just want to say that I love you guys and wish you all the happiness in the world, today and always."
Chandler holds his glass up in the air as the others join him.
"To Ross and Rachel. Congratulations." Chandler says with tears in his eyes.
"To Ross and Rachel!" everyone says as they drink.
Ross and Rachel face each other and smile, as they look affectionately at each other. They intertwine their arms and take a drink of their champagne.
It's time to eat so everyone lines up to grab their food. The caterer makes sure that Ross and Rachel get their food first, so he asks them personally what they want and makes their plates for them. He then brings them to the table and sets them in front of Ross and Rachel. Ross and Rachel eat their food as they look around the room at everyone. Rachel spots Emma with Jack and Judy. She is sitting on Grandpa Jack's lap as he plays with her and makes her laugh. Ben is sitting with Carol and Susan on the other side of Jack and Judy. He is engrossed in conversation with Grandma Judy as he has a big smile on his face. Rachel gets Ross' attention.
"Ross?" she says as she taps him on the shoulder.
He looks over at her.
"Yeah?"
"Look at Ben and Emma with your parents." she says as she points.
Ross looks over to where Rachel is pointing and smiles. He then wraps his arm around Rachel's shoulders.
"We are all a real family now, Rachel. My parents aren't just Emma's grandparents, they are now officially your parents, too."
Rachel looks over at Ross.
"That's right, they are. I wonder how they would feel if I called them mom and dad?"
Ross smiles at Rachel.
"They've known you almost all your life, I know they wouldn't mind at all." Ross explains.
Rachel smiles back at Ross and then leans her head into his chest.
Ross and Rachel finish their food and then it's time to cut the cake.
Ross and Rachel approach the cake table, as Ross picks up the knife to cut the cake. Rachel wraps her hand around Ross' as they start cutting the cake. Once they have a piece cut, Ross places it on a napkin and holds it up. He then grabs the slice as Rachel opens her mouth. He starts to put the piece in her mouth, but instead smashes it into her mouth and nose.
Rachel gasps as she leans over and cuts up another piece. She picks it up and shoves it in Ross face. His face is covered in frosting as Rachel laughs.
Everyone starts laughing and clapping at this.
The caterer brings Ross and Rachel a towel to wipe their faces off and once they are both clean, they begin to cut up more of the cake and pass it around.
As everyone eats their cake, the DJ starts the music. It will be time for the first dance of the bride and groom soon.
Before long everyone has finished their cake which means its time for the first dance of the bride and groom.
The DJ picks up his cue and the first notes of the song play. Ross and Rachel just look at each other as the lights are turned off and one single light is shone on them. They recognize the song right away. It's the song that Ross dedicated to Rachel all those years ago when he was trying to make things right with her after making a list of reasons not to be with her.
Ross takes Rachel's hand as he leads her to the dance floor, the spotlight follows them to the middle of the dance floor. As the lyrics begin, Ross takes Rachel in his arms and they start to dance.
With or Without You*
See the stone set in your eyes
See the thorn twist in your side
I wait for you
Sleight of hand and twist of fate
On a bed of nails she makes me wait
And I wait, without you
With or without you
With or without you
Through the storm we reach the shore
You give it all but I want more
And I'm waiting for you
With or without you
With or without you
I can't live
With or without you
And you give yourself away
And you give yourself away
And you give
And you give
And you give yourself away
My hands are tied
My body bruised, she's got me with
Nothing to win and
Nothing left to lose
And you give yourself away
And you give yourself away
And you give
And you give
And you give yourself away
With or without you
With or without you
I can't live
With or without you
Oh
With or without you
With or without you
I can't live
With or without you
With or without you
As the song plays, more and more couples join the dance floor. Once the song ends, it's time for Rachel to toss the bouquet. Rachel goes to grab her bouquet as all the single women line up. Once Rachel has her bouquet she approaches the crowd of single women. She turns around so her back is facing them, takes the bouquet in both hands, and gives it a good throw. Once the women see the bouquet hurtling toward them, they all rush towards it almost tripping over each other to try to catch it. Rachel turns around to face them to see who catches it. Once the crowd has dispersed, she is able to see who caught it. It's her little sister Jill.
Rachel is very happy for her as she runs to her and gives her a hug.
Everyone congratulates Jill on catching the bouquet as she just stands there holding it with a shocked look on her face.
"Does this mean I have to get married now?" she asks.
Everyone laughs as Rachel reassures her.
"No, it just means you are the next to get married; not that you have to get married right away."
Jill breathes a sigh of relief.
"Thank God because I'm definitely not ready to get married yet."
Everyone laughs as she walks back to her seat carrying the bouquet.
Eventually Ross and Rachel open all their gifts and thank everyone for them. Phoebe, being Phoebe gave them the most interesting and unique gift. It's a wall hanging that she made into the shape of a lobster and has their names on it with the day's date.
Ross and Rachel get Phoebe's attention as she approaches them.
"You guys needed to talk to me?"
"Yes, as a matter of fact we do, Phoebe." Ross replies.
"About what?" she asks.
Rachel grabs the gift and holds it up.
"What in the world is this?" Rachel asks with a confused look on her face.
Phoebe takes it from Rachel and looks at it.
"You guys don't know what this is?" she asks.
Ross and Rachel both shake their heads.
"I can't believe you don't know what this is!" she cries.
"Sorry, Phoebe we don't." Ross exclaims.
Phoebe holds it up and shows it to them.
"Um, hello! It's a lobster!"
Ross and Rachel look at it, then look at each other and nod.
"Okay." they both say, still confused.
"You remember how I have always called you guys Lobsters?" she asks.
Ross and Rachel both nod.
"Well, I made this to represent your marriage. You two are Lobsters, and this is to symbolize your love and loyalty to each other. You two have mated for life, just like lobsters do!" Phoebe explains excitedly with a grin on her face.
Ross and Rachel just give her strange looks while smiling at her as she hands the lobster back to them.
"Oh I just love you guys and I'm so happy you are finally married!" she says ecstatic as she hugs the both of them.
They hug her back.
"Thank you, Pheebs." they both say before she leaves to join her husband.
Ross and Rachel just look at each other, shrug their shoulders and smile.
"That's our Phoebe." Rachel says.
Ross nods, agreeing.
Before long it's time for Ross and Rachel to leave for their honeymoon. Everyone is supposed to grab a small tube of bubbles by the front door, since throwing rice is no longer allowed. They are going to Hawaii and coming back nice and tan. Ross' parents were planning on watching Emma while they are gone. Monica would be helping out too, so Emma would be able to spend time with her cousins.
Everyone lines up outside the front door as Ross and Rachel come out hand in hand. They are suddenly bombarded with tons of soapy bubbles in their faces. They both shield their faces with their hands as not to get any of them in their eyes.
Once they get to the end of the line there is a limo waiting for them to take them to the airport. Their luggage is safely tucked away in the trunk. But before they get into the limo, they have to say their goodbyes to everyone. Jack and Judy bring Emma over to her parents so they can say goodbye to her. It's going to be hard to be away from their daughter for a week, but they know she will be in good hands.
Once Jack and Judy approach them, they hand Emma to Ross. Ross gives Emma a kiss on her cheek.
"Your mommy and me are going bye bye for a few days so you be good for grandma and grandpa okay?" Ross explains to his daughter.
Emma nods as Rachel gives her daughter a kiss on the cheek.
"I'm gonna miss you, Emma. I love you very much."
Emma nods as she reaches her hand up to wave goodbye.
"Mama, brudder?" she asks in her two year old language.
Rachel is confused for a minute.
Ross realizes what Emma is asking and explains it to Rachel.
"She wants to know if she can spend time with her brother, Ben."
Rachel acknowledges Ross and nods.
"Oh okay."
She looks at Emma and smiles.
"You want to see your brother?" she asks.
Emma smiles and nods.
"Okay, Emma. You can see your brother if you want."
Emma claps her little hands together and laughs.
Ross, Rachel, Jack and Judy all laugh.
Ross and Rachel say their goodbyes to Emma one more time and then hand her back to her grandparents. They say goodbye to Jack and Judy and then get their turn to say goodbye to the rest of the gang. Carol and Susan bring Ben over to say goodbye to his dad and new stepmother.
"Ben wanted to say goodbye to you guys before you left." Carol explains.
Ross laughs.
"That's fine, I couldn't leave without saying goodbye to my son!"
Ross leans over and gives Ben a hug.
"You be good for your moms while we're gone and take good care of your baby sister too. She wants to spend time with you."
"Okay, dad." Ben says as he pulls out of the hug.
He then looks over at Rachel and smiles.
Rachel smiles back at him and holds her arms out for a hug.
"Goodbye, Ben." she says as Ben hugs her.
"You know what?" Ben asks as he pulls out of the hug.
"What is that?" Rachel asks.
"You are no longer "Aunt Rachel", you are my stepmother now. I now have three moms. I'm a pretty lucky kid!"
"Yes you are, Ben. A very lucky kid, and I love you as if you were my own son. I always have."
"I love you too, Mom number three."
She and Ben both laugh at that.
Once they have all said their goodbyes, Ross and Rachel climb into the limo and head to the airport. Everyone watches the limo as it pulls out of the parking lot. Ross and Rachel roll down their windows and wave to everyone as they are driving away.
Once everyone is out of sight, they roll their windows back up and look at each other. They give each other coy smiles. Now that they are finally alone, they are both anxious and nervous as they feel the butterflies in their stomachs.
They are finally officially husband and wife and can't wait for their honeymoon to start. It's only going to get better from here...
To be continued...
*song and lyrics by U2
