Author's Note: Here is the rest of the story. Thanks to everyone reading and reviewing, hope you all enjoyed it!
The time comes where I explode. I didn't mean to, but holding in that much irritation for a person has to blow up in your face eventually right?
Ross comes by to pick Emma up. I let him in and he asks where she is.
"She's with Joey. He was reading her a story. He'll get her stuff together in a few minutes," I say and he nods. That's what also bugs me, it's not just that he doesn't mention the situation, he treats us the same. He's not mad at Joey, he acts like Joey is just my room mate, like he always has been.
"Ross, I really can't take this anymore."
"What?"
"Why don't you just yell at me and Joey, hate us already!"
His eyes widen and his face screams shock.
"What do you mean hate you guys?"
"I mean, you are clearly not okay with the idea of us being together. So stop avoiding it, just come out and say it. I hate how you're just acting like nothing has happened!"
"I told you I needed some time."
"How much time, a year! It's been enough time Ross. Just get on with it already!"
Ross takes a deep breath and gets ready to come back.
"Look Rachel," he says in a stern voice and clearly this isn't going anywhere good. But right before he can continue, we hear a sound.
It's a faint sound that we stop and try to listen to more closely. We hear it again and we both silently confirm what it is. It's Emma…laughing in the bedroom. We look at each other immediately. We quickly walk to the door and shush each other to listen.
I can't believe Joey was able to make Emma laugh and I wasn't hearing any dirty songs. I open the door and Ross and I walk in. We look at them.
Joey looks up, a big picture book open in his hands. Emma is looking up at him from the bed.
"Hey guys," he says. We don't say anything at first so he gets up.
"Sorry, I'll get her stuff," he says and walks over to get her bag.
"No, it's not that… how did you get Emma to laugh?" I ask and I can tell Ross is just as curious.
"Oh well, actually, it was kind of silly," he chuckles. "See I was reading her this book and on one page it says they were playing peek a boo so I started playing peek a boo with Emma. She was smiling so I could tell she liked it, then I said oink by accident. It was stupid, but she laughed. I don't know why, she likes it when I mess up the words." He smiles at us and we just stare wide eyed at him. I walk out and Ross quickly follows me.
"Hey what's wrong?" he asks.
"Our daughter is amused by Joey's stupidity and by dirty songs! Really, what is wrong with our daughter?"
"Rachel," Ross laughs.
"What, why is this funny," I spit.
"Come on, she doesn't understand anything. And as for Joey well we all laugh at him. What does it matter if our daughter is smiling. Is that no longer incredibly beautiful to hear?"
"No, of course it is."
"Then, don't worry. Let your daughter be happy and let her laugh at whatever she wants," Ross says and then the wide smile refuses to wipe off his face. It's so noticeable I wonder what's going on.
"Okay, why are you looking at me like that."
"It's just…I don't know, I'm happy…that Emma is laughing at something else, she's doing it more."
"Yeah, I think Joey's right, she'll be laughing all the time before we know it," I agree. Ross's face changes again and the look on his face catches me off guard again.
"What?"
"Nothing, I just… realized how stupid I've been."
"What?" I croak with the slightest hope Ross may be finally admitting what I've been waiting for.
"Joey is one of the greatest guys I know. Emma loves him and… if you do too then… he's probably the best guy I could ask for to have you."
"Really?"
Ross takes a huge sigh.
"Yeah, I mean if some other guy's gonna be raising Emma as well, then I should be lucky if it's Joey."
The tears are forming at my eyes, I'm too happy for words. I run up to Ross and hug him tightly. He wraps his arms around me and I forget ever being so angry with him.
When Ross leaves with Emma, I can't take my eyes off Joey. He notices my staring and give me a weirded out look.
"Hey, you know it's not polite to stare," he teases. I crack a smile, but my eyes don't waver. I'm leaning on the counter and he walks closer.
"Rach, are you okay?"
"Yes," I nearly whisper, still staying in the same exact state.
His eyebrows knit together and he takes another step closer to try and "examine me". He looks around me and then waves his hand in front of my face. I don't flinch.
"Rachel…" He's smiling as he continues to try and make me blink. Then he begins poking my sides and I'm a goner.
"Hey," I can't help the giggles from slipping out. "No fair!"
Now he progresses by tickling me until I'm bending over backwards trying escape him.
"Stoppp," my laughter echoes through the apartment. I try to run away, but he grabs me by the waist, lifts me up, and spins me around. I'm laughing uncontrollably and he has a grin showcased all over his face. He sweeps me up into his arms as if I'm his bride. It's too perfect because right now, what he doesn't know is, we're allowed to start our "honeymoon" if he would just carry me to the bedroom.
"How'd you know?" I ask.
"Know what?" He questions me.
I don't answer and instead kiss him with a fiery passion. When I release his lips, they're covered with confusion.
"You just like messing with me don't you," he states and is about to put me down. I grab his shirt.
"No, don't put me down," I tell him. He slowly straightens up and keeps me in his arms.
"Not unless it's on a bed," I smirk at him.
"What?" his voice cracks slightly and my smile grows, too anxious to finally tell him.
"It's time for our honeymoon," I whisper and he quickly understands.
"How?"
"Ross approves." I say. He nearly drops me when I say the words. I stumble to the ground.
"Sorry," he says and hurries to help me.
"Are you okay?"
He doesn't answer my question though.
"Wait, are you serious? When did this happen? Are you lying to me?"
I shake my head no, I think the joy jumping out of my skin is beginning to convince him on it's own.
"He just told me. Emma laughing was the golden ticket."
I can tell he's still trying to make sure I'm being for real. I take a few seductive steps towards him and place my hands on his chest.
"And I would never lie to you," I match my voice to my actions. I look into his eyes and see them burning black. He stares back until finally he pulls me into a searing kiss. I run my hand around his neck and hair. His hands on tightly fastened on my back. He lets go of my lips to pick me back up.
"To the bedroom, my love?"
"Yes please!" I laugh. He practically runs into the door and shyly apologizes again. He opens the door and places me on his bed. The readiness in his eyes matches mine.
He leans over me and doesn't stop kissing me until we're completely out of breath.
Sooner than we know, all our clothes are off and he's on top of me. I feel his true excitement against me and it's making my skin burn to what has to be an unsafe temperature. I'm going crazy and pull away from his kiss. I look at his face, not even an inch away from mine. This is one thing Joey's never slow at, he gets the hint right away.
He pulls back slightly and adjusts himself until I feel him entering me very carefully. A sound of pleasure escapes from my lips. The next time I look at him he looks scared. I think he's scared for me. I smile at him, rest my hands on his face and kiss him until he's more than convinced. He slowly starts moving and I feel the vibrations throughout my entire body.
I knew it was a while for me, but for him it's been too long. I can tell he's trying his hardest to hold back. I hold onto his back and his hand travels under us to bring us even closer together. This heightens the sensation for both of us and the sounds coming from us fill the room. He picks up the speed when he starts losing control. It doesn't matter, we come together in the end and he falls over me when we're done. Now, the sound of our heavy breathing fill our ears.
We try to catch our breath.
"Wow," I breathe. He's still breathing hard, but he must not care because he answers by kissing my neck tenderly until he's kissing my face and finally moves to my mouth again. The kisses don't last long since we can barely breathe as it is.
He rolls next to me now. I snuggle up to him.
I never knew the feel of his heart pounding beneath my hand would be so comforting. I love the feeling of my warm skin on his.
He turns his head to look at me.
"I never want to leave this bed," he smiles at me.
I put my hand to his cheek and caress his soft skin.
I smile back at him.
"I would never let you."
The End.
