Goodbye, again
It was already well past midnight as Rachel was sleeping soundly in the bed, and Emma was fast asleep in her crib, as well. Ross on the other hand, could not sleep at all and just laid there, watching Rachel sleep. They had all been to dinner with Monica and Chandler at the Plaza earlier in the evening, and Monica insisted they spend the night at their house, so they could all visit before Rachel had to leave again for Paris, the next day. Phoebe and Mike took a break from packing boxes and moving, to visit as well
They talked well into the night, over cheesecake, coffee, and a game of pinochle. Later on, they all gathered in the living room, as Monica was going thru the photo albums. Rachel talked about flying Ross over to Paris in another few months or so, and even though he knew that he would see her again, it didn't make having to say goodbye any easier. If fact, thus would even be harder than the first time.
Ross could not believe that his time with Rachel was almost up, and just seemed to fly by too quickly. In just another 12 short hours, once again they would be at the airport, having to say goodbye again. Just the mere thought of having to say goodbye, brought a lump in his throat. Ross didn't know how much he was capable of taking.. but he knew it wasn't much more. 'It can't possibly get any worse than this', he thought to himself. He tried to push those feelings away, wanting to enjoy the next few hours with Rachel, instead of dreading them, because they were the last few hours, with her.
As if Rachel going back to Paris was not hard enough, now Ross had to deal with the fact that Phoebe and Mike were moving to a house, and Joey was getting ready to leave for Hollywood in a few short months. It seemed as if the gang was breaking up, with each one headed in different directions, each one chasing their own hopes and dreams. Even though Ross knew this day would come, he didn't know it would happen so soon, or all at once. But Ross was still living in the same building, doing the same thing he had done for years, and for the first time in his life, felt as if he had nothing to show for it
The grandfather clock in the living room struck 3am as Rachel woke up and went to check on Emma. She crawled back into bed, snuggled next to Ross and whispered 'What are you doing, still awake'. Ross simply replied that he couldn't sleep, as Rachel rested his head on her shoulder, and whispered 'Ross you really do need to get some sleep, sweetie. We have a long day, in front of us'. She gently ran her fingers thru his hair, trying to get him to relax and about 10 minutes later, Ross was finally able to fall asleep.
It was a few hours later, and the night sky slowly gave way to the light of the morning, as the smell of freshly-brewed coffee filled the house. Rachel got up, got dressed and decided to let Ross sleep as long as she could, and went downstairs to the kitchen and said good morning to Monica and Chandler, who were already up. Rachel grabbed some oranges, and started to peel them, to put them in the juice-machine as Monica took the orange and peeler from her hand and said 'What are you doing? Just sit down, and I'll do this'. She handed Rachel some coffee and told her to just sit down and relax
'What time is your flight', Chandler asked and Rachel replied that it was at 3pm, but she needed to be at the airport 2 hours before-hand. 'It seems that you just got here', Monica commented and Rachel sighed and replied 'Not you too. Like I told Ross last night, I'll be coming back. It's not as if this is forever, and you'll never see me again'. Monica said that she understood, but was going to be hard to have to say goodbye, again.
Chandler asked if they needed a ride to the airport, but Rachel shook her head and said Ross would be taking her. 'How is he holding up', Chandler asked and Rachel said that Ross felt like everything was happening too quick, with her job in Paris, Mike and Phoebe moving, and Joey moving to California. Monica said right now, Ross just needed some time and space to adjust, and he'll be ok. 'I know this is hard on Ross, and hard on you guys, as well. But do you think this easy for me? Do you think having to say goodbye to you guys is something I enjoy doing, because I don't. Each time I think about it, I get sick. Each time I think about what I have to leave behind, it makes me not want to go', Rachel said
'Then don't go. Please don't go, sweetie', Ross begged as he slowly entered the dining room. Rachel looked at Ross and said 'Ross we have already been over this...over and over again. I have to go back, honey'. They all sit down, and enjoy pancakes, bacon and juice, neither one saying a word. Chandler tried to break the tension, by telling a joke, but Monica looked at him and said 'Not right now'.
About an hour later, Rachel went back to the room to finish packing, as Ross could only sit on the bed and watch, with his heart breaking. Rachel could almost sense what Ross was feeling as she put the suitcase down, sat on next to him on the bed and said 'It's not as bad as all this'. Ross looked at Rachel and said 'How can you say that? Knowing that I won't see you, for who knows how long'. Rachel knew she had to be the strong one here and said 'I know it seems like forever, but it's really not and in just a few short months, you'll be going to Paris. The time will just fly by.. you'll see'
Before they knew it, it was time to go to the airport as Monica offered to come and Rachel thanked her, but said she wanted to be with Ross. They all hugged goodbye, as Chandler had to basically peel his wife away from Rachel, and walked them over to the Taxi that Phoebe loaned to Ross, telling him to replace the brake lights when he gets back. 'Ok, let's not make this any harder. I love you guys so very much', Rachel said. They all said one final goodbye as Ross and Rachel get into the car and leave
'Which airport', Ross asked as they headed for the main freeway into the city. 'JFK' ,Rachel quietly responded as Ross got off the main freeway, and headed for the freeway to JFK and about an hour later they arrived at the Air France terminal and Ross pulls over to the curb. He gets out of the car and helps Rachel with her bags and suitcase as they enter the terminal and go thru security and find their way to the gate, and sit down on a bench.
'Ross, you've been quiet all the way here. Are you ok', Rachel asked, Ross looked at her and said 'Do I really have a choice, here'. Rachel reached out and gently held his hand and said 'It's going to be ok, Ross. You're just going to have to believe me. It will be ok'. They just sit there, and about 30 minutes later they announce the flight to Paris and Rachel looked at Ross, hugged him and said 'Ok, we have to go now sweetie'. Ross picks up his daughter, gently kisses her, before handing her to her mother. 'It's only a few more months, Ross' Rachel said forcing a smile as she handed her ticket to the gate agent, before disappearing.
Ross just sat there for the longest time, lost in his thoughts before finally getting up and walking away. As he was walking down a corridor, a young child ran passed him towards another man who was exiting an airplane. He reaches down, and picks the child up as they walk away, and as Ross was watching, for a brief speck in time, he wished that he was that man. Ross left the airport and wondered around the city, trying to clear his head before returning home, and once again, to an empty apartment