CHAPTER 4: choices

The next couple of days went pretty well for Ross and Rachel. Rachel went shopping and dragged Ross along with her, not to his amusement. He didn't mind shopping, he actually needed some new clothes, but after 2 hours he was already tired of it and just wanted to get back to the hotel. Ross on the other hand wanted to go see all these historical places and museums, which made Rachel die of boredom. But all things considered, they had a great time.

Today they had been in Greece for exactly a week, but it felt like forever. So much had happened. So much had changed. But it had changed for the better. Ross and Rachel were a lot closer again, without any awkward moments. Exactly how it had been before it all went wrong.

Ross awoke because of the loud knocking of his hotel door. He got up, thinking it must have been Rachel. But why did she knock? Didn't she have a key? ''She must have forgotten it.'' He thought.

Ross walked over to the door and opened it.

''Hi Ross. ''

Ross recognized the voice immediately. He knew it all too well.

''Emily…I…What….What are you doing here?'' Ross stammered looking at the woman who was standing before his eyes.

''I could ask you the same.'' She said what an angry but somewhat hurt voice. ''We need to talk.''

She walked into the room expecting it carefully.

''How did you know I was here?'' Ross asked closing the door behind him.

''Monica told me. I realized it was wrong to run away and I felt like you deserved an explanation. And I feel like I deserve one too, so I went to look for you. Monica didn't want to tell me where you was at first but eventually she told me you were here, in Greece, on our honeymoon…. Why did you say Rachel, Ross? Do you still love her?'' She looked up at him.

Ross knew he had to be careful with what he was going to say next. Saying he did meant the end of his marriage. But saying he didn't would be a lie. Of course he loved her. But he also loved Emily and she was his wife. So did he want his marriage to work? Or would he be okay with another divorce?

''I love you, Emily. You've changed me. Look saying Rachel at the altar was a mistake. I was surprised to see her. It meant nothing, okay? Please believe me.''

''So it really meant nothing?'' She said trying to figure out if he spoke the truth or not.

''It meant nothing. I promise. I'm sorry I embarrassed you.'' Ross replied hoping she would believe him.

''I guess I could give you another chance, maybe you really were just surprised to see her. I love you too, Ross. The past few months had been a blast and I'm not going to just through that away.'' Emily got up and hugged Ross tightly.

''Oh my god! Ross, the water in the swimming pool is so nice. You really need to come down there and…..'' Rachel walked in but froze when she saw what was happening before her eyes.

Emily pulled herself away from Ross not looking happy. She just glared at Rachel and then at Ross. ''SHE'S HERE?'' She screamed at Ross.

''Emily…I should go. I'm so sorry. I just came to get my sunglasses, but I don't need them. I should just go. Uhm…right…bye.'' Rachel blurted out, not really knowing what she was saying.

''No. Stay!'' Emily shot back. ''I'm the one that should go.'' She turned around to Ross. ''All the things you just told me, I can't believe I'm so stupid. These past few days I've been out there searching for you and you're here on our honeymoon sleeping with her.'' She was very angry now.

''That's not what happened, Emily. You know I would never do that to you.'' Ross replied, starting to get angry too.

''Oh really? I'm not so sure anymore. You obviously can't get away from her.''

''Nothing happened. Dammit Emily like you're so perfect. You're the one who ran away. I couldn't find you. What was I supposed to do? I was miserable and Rachel was there for me as a friend. But that's all.''

Meanwhile Rachel was standing there awkwardly. Not knowing what to say. Should she say anything at all? God she wish she could just disappear right there at that very moment.

Emily started to walk towards white hotel door planning to leave but Ross would have nothing of that. He grabbed her arm. ''Emily, we both made mistakes, but you're my wife and I want to make this work. I will do anything to make this work. Just tell me what you want me to do and move to New York with me.'' He begged staring deep into her eyes.

''I can't trust you when you're around her. The only reason we could try to make this work is if you promise me to NEVER see her again.'' She pointed to Rachel. ''Maybe then we can try to make this work.''

''What?'' Ross couldn't believe what he was hearing. ''I can't do that. Rachel is my closest friend. You can't ask me that.''

''You obviously can't get away from her. I can't trust you when I know she's in your life, Ross. And do you want this marriage to work or not?''

''I do…I really do, but I can't do this Emily. Rachel means too much to me. I'm sorry. I guess this is it then.'' Ross replied sadly but he knew he made the right choice. Life without Rachel? He could never do that. She was too special not to have around. He couldn't imagine not seeing her every day. Her smile, her hair, her face. No he was sure, he made the right choice.

''I think you should do it.'' Rachel suddenly spoke. ''Go and save your marriage, Ross. I'll be gone before tonight.'' And with that said, she left. She left the hotel not knowing where to go, but she needed some time to think.