Sorry this took a little longer to be updated, I've been super busy with exams and personal things. Thank you for any reviews you previously gave me, It means a lot to me. Please stick with this story, I am hoping for it to go on for many chapters so keep reading!
Chapter 8 –
Chandler sat back against the wall sucking in a deep breathe of air, his eyes on the double doors. Ross slumped in his chair, watching Phoebe and Joey attempt on reading a magazine about War. Rachel shuffled across the room to Chandler, he still never looked up until she took her hand in his giving it a gentle squeeze.
"She'll be doing fine Chandler. The doctor said it was a short surgery, so she should be out soon." She tried to keep a reassuring look on her face, Chandler gave her a small smile and sighed his head dropping, letting his chin hit his chest.
"I know, but she looked so scared when they took her Rach" His voice cracked and dropped to a whisper. "It's all my fault"
Rachel shook her head nudging her friends shoulder to get him to look up. "Hey! Have you met Monica? She is the strongest person I know Chandler, she will get through this. None of this was your fault, you didn't know about Will, you didn't know that Peyton would come early, you was upset and we all understand why. Mon was upset that you left, yes that's why she stopped eating and sleeping but you don't look any better. It hurt you just as much. Don't blame yourself Chandler." She finished and wiped a tear that trickled down Chandlers face.
"I-I didn't mean to hurt her, if I knew that she would stop eating, sleeping and causing herself damage then you know I would never have left." He snapped around when the door to his left opened and a doctor came through with a smile on his face.
"Your friend is in recovery, she'll be able to come back in this room by tonight, the surgery went perfectly she just needs rest. Whichever one of you is Chandler could you just come outside?" He looked around the room as all eyes averted to Chandler who stood up shakily and followed the doctor out into the hall.
He held his breath waiting for the bad news already feeling tears sting his eyes, "Monica has been asking for you, you can go and see her but if she falls asleep out of no where it's just the medicine still in her system by tonight it will have worn off. About her daughter, she can hold her but it will cause pain if she tries to move around with her too much, hopefully by the end of the week she will be back to normal."
"Oh, thank you doctor" Chandler shook the professionals hand before following him to Recovery Room 1. Through the window on the door he saw Monica staring at the ceiling, a hand resting on her stomach over the sheets, her eyes a little puffy. He opened the door not quite wanting to look at her, she instantly met his gaze and gave him a smile only he got which melted his heart.
"Chandler" Her voice raspy but the smile never faltered in fact it got wider if possible. Chandler perched on the edge of the chair beside the bed, Monica's hand reached out finding his, their fingers intertwining fitting together perfectly.
"Hey, how you feeling?"
"I'm better now." She grinned again drowsily making Chandler chuckle and shake his head. "My head aches and my tummy just feels like period cramps would but that's because of the pain relief I've had." Chandlers face crumpled at the word 'Period' Monica passed it off not half surprised by his reaction. She was honestly better now he was there, as soon as she was woken up by the doctor the first name she called was Chandlers.
"Get some sleep you need to rest." Chandler stroked circles on her soft skin with his thumb, Monica gave it a couple of tugs until he looked up at her again.
"Come here" She gestured to the space beside her, shuffling over carefully leaving half of them bed for him.
"Mon I can't, it'll hurt you" He stepped back shaking his head.
"Chandler…come here I need you" Monica pulled her puppy eyes giving him the sweetest smile she could. Chandler sighed feeling his heart melt at the woman in front of him. She wanted him. In her words needed. "Please"
As carefully as he could he climbed onto the bed beside Monica, instead of her gasping in pain like he expected she turned to the side slightly and gazed into his eyes lost in the deep blue of them, smiling appreciatively.
"I'm sorry you had to do that and you're going to have this pain, I wish I could take it away" Chandler said softly his thumb grazing across Monica's cheek.
"Oh honey. I'm okay. You being here helps take my mind off the pain its not your fault" Chandler felt his breath catch in his throat at the endearment, maybe she said it when they were friends but now he knows it means more. Monica also realised what she said and felt a lump in her throat grow when she remembered how much Chandler could freak out about things like this.
"I'll be here all the time then" he mumbled kissing her shoulder softly.
"Hmm could get used to that" Monica felt her heart flutter, she felt like a giddy teenager again. Without another word she slipped a hand to the nape of his neck pulling his face to meet hers, their lips meeting in a quick kiss.
Chandler couldn't help the goofy grin taking over him when they broke apart, Monica chuckled and shook her head pecking his lips again before resting her head on his chest settling into his side. Both of his arms wrapped around her waist keeping her close, while one of her hands clung to the hem of his shirt her other one on his stomach.
Chandler felt Monica's breathing slow and even out as her eyes fell shut, he finally relaxed himself feeling the tiredness settle into him, his eyes suddenly heavy.
Rachel rocked Peyton while trying to find a clean bottle in the baby bag, Joey helped her, and Peyton quickly calmed down, small gulping noises emitting from her throat every now and then. Rachel sat back and sighed a breath of relief, she smiled down at the baby girl seeing so much of Monica in front of her, the eyes, the hair and she was sure the same smile would make an appearance soon.
Ross smiled coming around the corner with a nurse just behind him, Phoebe gave him a questioning look and waited for him to speak. "She's out. She's been great through surgery, Chandler's with her because she asked for him but they fell asleep we can see her, but we have to stay quiet." Rachel and Joey caught each other's gaze their grins only showing half of the relief and happiness they felt at that moment.
"Well Pey's fell asleep, so she'll be out for the next couple of hours, let's go" Rachel held herself back from running to her best friends room preferring to keep the baby asleep for a while rather than crying and waking Monica up.
Ross opened peeked through the glass window before quietly opening the door and slipping into the room followed by Rachel, then Joey and Phoebe, they each took a chair beside the bed, Rachel kept Peyton on her chest.
Monica looked better now, apart from the few cuts and bruises here and there, she was no longer pale or depressed, still skinny but that wouldn't be for long, soon enough she'd be back home cooking whatever her friends wished for. That's just how she wanted her life.
Nearly an hour later, Monica shook awake from her sleep, a thin layer of sweat covering her forehead, she tossed her head back and forth trying to work out where she was but felt two arms pull her closer and tighten slightly making her relax. Chandler.
"Hi Mon" A voice spoke from the side and Monica stuck her head up a little, smiling at her friends who she had somehow missed in her moment of panic.
"Hey guys" She croaked her throat still sore. "Thank you for being here, you seriously didn't have to sit around and wait all day." Carefully she loosened Chandlers arms enough for her to sit up and lean against his shoulder, now fully able to see Rachel speaking to her.
"We wouldn't have left you, or peyton. Who by the way has missed her mommy" Rachel stood beside the bed and passed over the sleeping girl.
Monica took her and felt her heart ache, her baby girl in her arms, and she was in Chandlers arms. She would give anything to actually see what they looked like right now. Almost as if he read her mind Joey brought out a small camera and clicked it a few times at different angles, then moved beside Monica to show her. The first one she was looking at Peyton and Chandlers head was against the pillow his eyes closed arms around her. The next picture showed his eyes opening and the third with him looking to his side and grinning widely at Monica his arms never moving positions.
Monica turned to the side and gave him a warm smile. "Hi" Her voice came out in a little more than a whisper as her mind got lost. The whole room disappeared all that stayed was Chandler her and Peyton the rest were nowhere, Chandler tore his eyes away and broke his embrace around Monica reluctantly.
"I'm just going to the bathroom, won't be long" He opened the door as Ross stood up and followed him. "I'll go to"
Monica sat back uncomfortably knowing that Chandler would be getting interrogated of why he was on the bed with her by Ross, Phoebe took Peyton and laid her on the bottom of the bed surrounded by pillows and a thin blanket, so they could all relax without worrying about waking her.
"I can't wait to just get home" Monica whined throwing her head back against the pillow, Joey sighed.
"When we get home we can go to Central Perk and have a coffee all together it'll be nice" He grinned thankful they were all back together. "I'm glad you're okay now Mon, will you at least be happy and make me lasagne when we are home and you're healed?"
Monica chuckled and nodded. "Thanks. Yeah Joe I'll make you your favourite. Now Rach could you help me to the bathroom, Pheebs Peyton might need changing" She pointed to the baby who's face turned red with discomfort.
"Great." Phoebe exclaimed sarcastically. Rachel laughed and took Monica's hand, carefully they turned, and Monica got to her feet, her hand resting over her stomach. "You okay Mon?"
Monica turned to Phoebe and nodded. "I'm okay, I just really need to pee" She shook her head and took a few wobbly steps towards the door her hand tightening around Rachels. Eventually she was able to walk with little support by the time they reached the ladies door.
"So how's you and You Know Who?" Rachel eyed Monica who couldn't help turn her look from serious to almost dreamy.
"Rach you know how Chandler cares about you as a friend but he's jokey. He's totally different, he so sweet and kind and protective. He wouldn't even hold my hand tight in case it somehow hurt my tummy." Rachel snorted and earned a light punch from Monica. "Hey he really takes care of me, I had a bad dream the other day when he came back and he came in and just held me, same with earlier apparently he was the first person I asked for and after I persuaded him he got on the bed next to me and just held me. It makes me feel really safe"
Rachel sniffed and hugged Monica tightly. "I'm so happy for you Mon. But you realise if he ever hurts you I will have to sort him out" Monica giggled into Rachels neck and nodded.
"Thanks Rach. I'm sorry I said ages ago that you and Ross were to soppy and cringy. I think I may be worse" Monica laughed, her hand enveloped Rachels as they turned to return to the others, their arm swung back and forth as they smiled goofily at each other both knowing how the other felt now.
"How come you was in bed with my sister" Ross shot, Chandler stopped and could have almost laughed at Ross' determination as if he knew something bad was happening.
"She asked for me when the doctors woke her up and when I went in she didn't want to be alone, she just asked if I'd stay next to her while she slept. That's all Ross, there's no need to be over protective I'm not some kind of freak" Chandler chuckled and continued to dry his hands followed by Ross.
"I'm sorry man." Ross clapped his friend on the back and Chandler smiled appreciatively.
"Where have you been?" Monica froze shocked in the doorway as Chandler shot to her side a concerned look on his face, his voice shaking a little with worry.
She put her hand over his, "I went to the bathroom with Rach, you don't need to worry I'm perfectly fine I'm not in pain either, surely Pheebs and Joey told you where I was" Monica slightly stepped away from him to get back to her bed.
"Yeah sorry I'm been a doufus" Monica turned and grinned at him which he returned happily.
"You're not. Thank you." She mouthed before slumping back on the bed and taking a fussy Peyton from Ross. "Are you hungry sweetie" Peyton looked up her piercing blue eyes meeting her mothers for a second. Joey handed over a bottle and soon the babies eyes were again closed.
Around 3pm a doctor came to check on Monica giving her the all clear, she could go home that night.
"Ross grab that jacket then I think we have everything." Rachel called from the door, heaving to large bags and holding the door open enough for Monica in the wheelchair. Chandler pushed her out making sure not to crash and disturb Peyton who was happy now in her mothers arms again. Ross followed out of the room last and out to the reception area where Monica signed a couple of forms.
They managed to hail two cabs happy to get off the crowded streets, people running backwards and forward to and from work, Rachel, Monica, Chandler and Peyton in the first car, Phoebe, Ross and Joey in the second. Rachel glanced to her right grinning wildly, Monica leaned on Chandlers shoulder while he rocked Peyton pulling goofy faces at her.
Eventually everything was back in the apartment, with everyone slumped around Monica's living room. Peyton was down for the night, Monica was half asleep in the armchair, Chandler the same on the couch with Ross, Phoebe Joey and Rachel stretched out on the floor groaning.
"Why don't you all stay over, Pheebs and Joey can be in here, Ross and Rachel in the spare room and Chandler can stay in the armchair." Monica suggested covering her eyes with her hand hoping the pounding in her head would fade a little.
"mmf" Ross puffed standing and taking Rachels hand, they traipsed to the spare room closing the door and immediately flopping into bed. Joey and Phoebe begrudgingly moved to the couch their muscles sore and heavy, their eyes closing simultaneously small snoring noises emitting from them.
Monica stood up and moved towards her bedroom watching Chandler stand and get himself comfortable in the armchair, somehow tiredness made him look adorable to her, this was not just a small crush was it?
"Heyy" Monica whined her voice barely a whisper, despite that Chandler looked over wearily and gave a small smile. Monica held out her hand towards him, he stretched out and met her, she gave a little tug, to which he stood and leaned beside her.
"C'mon" She grinned and pulled him to the bedroom weakly, Chandler brushed his teeth and washed his face quickly while Monica changed into the new pair of sweats and a baggy top.
Chandler climbed into bed and pulled her flush to his body, he quickly pecked her lips, no energy in the two of them for anything more, her head rested on his chest while an arm wrapped over his stomach, his head back against the pillow his arms securely around her waist.
"Night Mon" He whispered kissing the top of her head.
Instead of replying Monica pulled him even closer.
The apartment filled with snores from all 6 adults and the baby. Silence fell as deep sleep overtook and sweet dreams kicked in.
