AN: I know I say the same thing every chapter but, again, thank you for the reviews!
I hope you like what I've done in this chapter!
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Disclaimer: The characters from Friends do not belong to me.
Seven Years Later…
Ross awoke from his sleep at 6am. He slowly sat up and rubbed his eyes before he turned to sit on the edge of his bed. He sat there for a while thinking about the day to come. The only important event he had that day was a job interview in an hour. This interview has to go well; I need a job. It's not often I find a job opening like this. I guess London doesn't have a big need for palaeontologists.
Ross had finished university a year and a half ago. Ever since he graduated he was having no luck finding a job in London. His money was running low; he was starting to worry he wouldn't be able to pay rent or bills.
In his first year at university Ross lived on campus with his roommate, Chandler. Then in their second year they moved into an apartment together, off campus. He and Chandler had stayed roommates all these years, even after they had finished school.
Ever since the day Ross asked Chandler for directions to their dorm room they had become the best of friends.
Chandler wasn't the only good thing that had happened as a result of Ross living in London. He had met a woman named Amelia. Ross and Amelia had dated for three years and they had recently become engaged.
Amelia was an anthropologist; she and Ross had met at the university and instantly gotten along. Amelia grew up in London. She lived with her parents, a few minutes away from Ross and Chandler's apartment.
Ross got out of bed and felt the cold wood floor under his feet. He walked across the room to his closet. After dressing in a suit, Ross walked into the kitchen for breakfast. As he entered the doorway he was hit with the scent of freshly made coffee. Chandler was already awake making himself breakfast.
"Morning, man," Chandler greeted his roommate, looking up from the reading the comics in the paper.
"Morning," Ross replied, as he began to make himself a bowl of cereal. Chandler got up from the kitchen table to pour Ross and himself a cup of coffee.
As Ross put the milk back in the fridge he looked at the calendar hanging on the door by a magnet. Today was April 16th, Monica's birthday. Remembering this information made Ross think of his family he left behind in New York. He was unhappy that he hadn't talked to them in a while.
When Ross first moved to England he would call his parents every night. As the years went on the calls became less frequent. The main reason being Ross didn't have enough money to pay the long distance phone call charges. Ross talked to his family once a month, now. His promises to come and visit were disregarded; he had only found the time and money to visit them once a year.
When Ross first moved to London he felt really homesick. For months he went through withdrawal by shutting himself in his bedroom. Everything had reminded him of his family and every time he thought of them he felt alone.
Luckily friends like Chandler and Amelia eventually made it easier for Ross to be away from his family. Amelia, especially, had made leaving Rachel less painful.
Forgetting Rachel was a very hard thing to do. When Ross moved away he promised himself he would move on from his crush on her. Even with Amelia as his fiancée he frequently had to stop himself from thinking of Rachel. Every time he thought about her he felt his heart sink. The fact that Rachel was still in his head when Amelia loved him and he loved her made him feel terrible.
Why couldn't he just love Amelia and be happy with her? Rachel had broken his heart all those years ago. Why was he still so hung up on her after she didn't trust him? Even though he had Amelia he couldn't stop his feelings for his high school crush.
Ross hadn't seen Rachel or talked to her since the day he said goodbye. He wondered what she was doing now. Did she miss him too?
…..
Rachel was standing in her apartment's kitchen making dinner reservations over the phone. She had thought about cooking dinner, but decided against it since she was not a very good cook. Monica would be home soon and she wanted to surprize her with a birthday dinner.
Life for Rachel had changed drastically after that night with Chip. Rachel began to care about people other than her. The night she broke up with Chip taught her to be a little more careful when it came to dating. Rachel realized that the popular guys in her high school that the old her would have gone for were all like Chip: shallow and rude.
Rachel's friends Mindy, Leslie and Melissa were upset with her choice to break up with Chip and stop dating popular high school boys. But, Rachel didn't care what they thought. She began to spend more time with Monica, instead of her other friends, to escape their constant disapproval of her decisions.
Monica and Rachel had been roommates throughout college. After college they moved into an apartment together in New York City. They were still best of friends.
Monica had recently become Head Chef at a restaurant; while Rachel became a Merchandising Manager at Ralph Lauren. They had each achieved their career goals; now, all that was left was finding lasting relationships. Rachel and Monica both had the same bad luck when it came to men. Monica just couldn't find the right guy, but Rachel was single for a different reason, she was still hung up on Ross.
Rachel spent her years of college without any serious relationships. She didn't find any guy that fit her standards. She couldn't get over the fact that Ross had liked her and now she liked him, but he would never know. She desperately attempted to push this thought from her mind every day.
Even after seven years of not seeing him she still couldn't forget him. For all she knew she could have already found the perfect guy, but turned him down because he wasn't like Ross. She had been on many dates after college, but no man treated her the way Ross did. Ross was always so sweet, sensitive and smart; the guys she dated could never come close to him.
Rachel told herself many times that she had to move on. Ross was not coming back; she missed her chance to be with him years ago. Despite these thoughts Rachel couldn't stop hoping that Ross would come back. She would always keep hoping that maybe after university Ross would move back to New York. But a voice in the back of her mind kept telling her that he wasn't thinking about her, he was enjoying life in England.
…..
Ross returned from his job interview with a good feeling, he felt that the interview had gone well. He entered the apartment just as the phone began to ring. He picked it up.
"Hello?" Ross said into the phone.
"Dr. Geller, it's Neil, from the job interview," Neil greeted. Ross was surprised they had contacted him so fast.
"Hi Neil, is it good news or bad news about the job?" Ross asked anxiously.
"It's good news. There is a job for you as head of the Paleontology Department at the museum. The thing I wanted to ask you if you would be willing to move for the job. We don't have room for you at the museum in London," Neil explained.
"Where would I have to move?" Ross enquired.
"You would have to move to New York. We recommended you to the Museum of Natural History, and they have a job opening for you. What do you say? Do you want me to tell them yes or a no?" Neil asked.
Ross couldn't believe his luck, as he thought things over for a minute. He had no choice but to take the job, he needed the money. It would be a lot of work moving to New York, but it would be worth it. He would get an amazing job and he would be able to see his family again.
"I'll take the job!" Ross promised excitedly.
"Good to hear Ross! They really want you over there in New York. I'll tell them to contact you with the details," Neil explained.
"Thanks Neil. I'll talk to you later," Ross replied. Now, his only problem would be telling Amelia and Chandler. He wondered what they would do.
…..
Chandler returned home from work to find Ross and Amelia already there.
"Chandler I have something to discuss with you and Amelia. Why don't you take a seat," Ross said seriously.
"Ok, what's up?" Chandler asked as he sat down on a chair across from the couple, who were sitting together on the couch.
"I got a job offer today, and I took it," Ross began.
"That's great!" Chandler and Amelia exclaimed at the same time.
"The only problem is that I have to move to New York for it. Before you say anything I want to let you know that this is a big opportunity for me. The Museum of Natural History wants me to be the head of their Paleontology Department. They're going to pay the airline and the shipping expenses," Ross explained, while Amelia and Chandler sat there half listening and half thinking. After a while of contemplating Amelia spoke.
"I'll move there with you Ross. We're going to be married; I don't want to live on different continents. I'll find a new job. This will be good, I've always loved New York," Amelia said encouragingly.
"That's great Amelia, thank you. I know it will be hard to leave your family, but I promise we can visit them," Ross said to her, then kissed on the cheek. Then he turned to Chandler. "What are you thinking Chandler?"
"I think I'll come too. I've heard that New York has more opportunities for my career path anyways. I'll quit my job here and get a new one over there. Plus I don't want to stay here and be left alone," Chandler decided.
"This is great you guys! I'm so happy!" Ross told them and then he enthusiastically hugged them both.
"When do we leave?" Chandler questioned.
"In a week," Ross said hesitantly.
…..
A few days later Monica was home on a day off from work. She was watching TV when her phone rang. She answered it, it was her mom.
"Monica, I have great news!" Judy said enthusiastically.
"What's going on mom?" Monica asked wanting to know what had made her mom so happy. After Ross had moved away her mom was never this happy. It was as if Ross moving away made her too upset to enjoy anything anymore.
"It's about Ross! He got a job as head of the Paleontology Department at the Museum of Natural History, in New York! Monica, your brother is moving back home!" Judy explained giddy with excitement.
"Really? That's incredible!" Monica couldn't believe it; she would be able to see her brother again. "When is he coming?"
"He'll be here in five days! But, your father and I will be leaving on our cruise the day after tomorrow. So, will you pick him up from the airport and help him move his things into his apartment?" Judy asked.
"Of course, Mom! Don't worry about anything!" Monica told her. "Just tell me the flight information."
Monica couldn't wait for Rachel to get home to tell her the good news. Monica knew that Rachel liked Ross. The day after Monica told Rachel that Ross was never lying she told her she loved Ross.
Even after all these years Rachel still discussed Ross with Monica. Rachel will be so happy that Ross is coming back. Maybe Ross still likes Rachel too, and they can get together! Monica thought to herself.
…..
Rachel returned home from work. When she walked in the door Monica got up from the couch and walked over to her. Monica had the biggest smile on her face.
"What's that smile for Mon? You're freaking me out," Rachel said nervously.
"Well, my mom told me today that Ross phoned her with news. He got a job in New York at the Museum of Natural History. He's moving to New York, Rach!" Monica explained unable to control her excitement.
Rachel didn't say a word she just covered her mouth and sat in a chair at their table. Ross is moving back to New York? This is amazing! But, I know I have to do something about my feelings. I have to tell him I love him.
"Rach, are you going to tell him?" Monica asked, as if reading Rachel's mind.
"I have to Mon. I have to know if he still has feelings for me," Rachel explained.
"Does this mean that if he feels the same way as you do, you'll date him?" Monica asked excitedly. She had always been rooting for her brother and best friend to get together.
"Yeah, I guess so. Wow, what should I say?" Rachel wondered aloud, suddenly becoming nervous.
"Well… I don't know… At least you have five days to think about that," Monica told her.
…..
Five days later, Monica and Rachel were at the airport. They had gotten to there early; Ross' flight wasn't going to land for another twenty minutes. They were sitting in the waiting area. Since they still had a lot of time Monica figured it was the perfect moment to discuss with Rachel what she was going to say to Ross.
"So, Rach, have you decided what you're going to tell Ross?" Monica asked.
"Yeah, I'm going to say that I found out he had been telling the truth all those years ago. Then I'll tell him that I haven't stopped thinking of him the whole time he's been away. Then I'll tell him I love him," Rachel went over what she would say. She left out the fact that she wanted to kiss him after she told Ross she loved him.
Rachel was exhausted. She had been up all night planning what she was going to say. It had to be perfect.
"Sounds great. I'll say hi to him and then I'll leave you two so you can talk in private," Monica said, deciding she didn't want to make things uncomfortable.
Monica and Rachel sat quietly in the same spot for a while. Rachel was thinking over specifically what she would say. Monica looked at her watch.
"It's already six o'clock; he'll be arriving at any minute. Let's go stand at the gate," Monica said. Rachel tried to look confident, but inside she was very nervous to see Ross.
…..
Ross, Chandler and Amelia's plane had just arrived at the airport. They grabbed their carry-on bags and exited the plane.
The last week had been hectic. The three of them had only seven days to pack up their belongings and ship them to New York. They also had to complete the nearly impossible task of finding an apartment in New York on short notice; but, it all worked out. The three of them planned on living in an apartment together, for the time being.
Ross was nervous to see his family, and Rachel. But, he was most nervous to tell them that he was engaged. What would they think of Amelia? Would Rachel even talk to him? It was possible that she would still be angry.
…..
Rachel and Monica stood in a crowd of people at the gate where Ross' plane had just landed.
"I see him!" Monica excitedly told Rachel. She began waving in Ross' direction. "Ross!"
Rachel was overcome with emotion when she saw Ross. She had tears in her eyes; she had missed him so much. Seeing his face was like seeing the sun come out after a storm. Ross walked over to Rachel and Monica.
Rachel soon noticed that Ross was not alone.
