Until It's Gone
by Tina
- - -
She was starting to get a headache and wondering why the elevator light had to be so damn bright. She flinched and groaned to herself, leaning against the wall as she rose to the 22nd floor. When the doors opened, she pulled the right set of keys from her purse and approached his door. She swung it open and couldn't help but smile a little.
The apartment was cozy and warm. A really good sweet smell was coming from the kitchen and some soft Bossa Nova played on the background. She approached the kitchen door and sure enough there he was in front of the stove, checking something in a pan while sipping some wine.
"Hey."
He looked up and smiled.
"Hey there, stranger."
She approached him and they kissed. It was a soft, quick kiss. She pulled away but he held on to her and pulled her towards him again. She chuckled and kissed him back.
"Can't resist me, can ya?" She joked.
"Never."
She smiled.
"So what are you doing?"
"Caramelizing pears. And I got us some vanilla ice cream from that italian place you love so much so we can eat it with this."
"Sounds yum."
"Yeah, this couple we met over at the Hamptons had us for dinner one night and they served this. I thought you'd like it, so I'm giving it a try. Wine?" He offered.
Her heart skipped a beat. Those little things he did for her always took her breath away.
"Yeah, some wine would be good. I got a little headache, maybe this will help me relax."
He poured her a glass.
"Just take a seat and relax, I'll get you an aspirin."
She smiled again and let him pamper her.
"OK. Thanks."
"My pleasure."
She took a seat and took off her shoes, it sure felt good. He came back with her aspirin and she thanked him again.
"So, dinner at the Hamptons? Sounds like things are going well over there then?"
"Yeah, really well. I thought it would be empty and depressing at first, but you wouldn't believe how many people have got nothing else to do. It's sad and... quite happy at the same time, actually. Can you imagine that, not having a job?"
"I did, at one point."
"Right, before when you almost married that dermatologist, right?"
Rachel furrowed her brows a little.
"Barry was an orthodontist."
James looked confused.
"Are you sure?"
Her head hurt a little more.
"Yes."
"Huh..."
"Anyway... That's good things are going well."
He smiled at her and she noticed that there was something different in the way he was smiling that night. But she decided not to give it much thought.
"And how was dinner with your co-worker and his wife?" He asked.
"Hm, good." There was no point in mentioning the whole story, was there? "Is this still gonna take a while? I just wanna take a quick shower."
"Yeah, sure, you got time."
She rose to her feet, picked up her shoes and walked barefoot towards the master suite. It was everything you could expect from an architect like James, very tasteful, cozy and pretty manly at the same time. There was a terrace with a great view, a fireplace that never got lit and a single picture by the bed. In it, Rachel, James and his parents smiled to the camera. It was taken only a couple of weeks before Ross returned to her life when they had come up to visit from their home town in Georgia. Rachel still recalled that evening with fondness, Joanne's thick accent and Paul's warm smile. They were a fine family and Rachel could see why James thought about getting married and having kids like he did. He had a great example at home, after all.
She got herself a towel and a nightgown from the drawer she had taken over and went into the bathroom, where she undressed, put her hair up in a tight bun and went into the shower. It was one of the many perks in James' apartment, it only took about a second to heat up. She let the scolding hot water run down her body and closed her eyes. Great, nausea. Just what she needed on top of her headache. She took a deep breath and reached out to turn the water off when she noticed James was getting ready to join her.
"This might not be a very good idea, honey."
"What?"
"I don't feel so good."
He didn't listen and continued to undress.
"I'll make you feel better."
Rachel swallowed hard, her mouth was beginning to water. He walked in and put his arms around her, kissing her neck. She pushed him away and exited the shower, going straight to her toiled and throwing up the second she could reach it. Urgh, how she hated being sick. Her stomach contracted and she emptied her stomach until there was nothing left in it. She took a deep breath, flushed and wiped her eyes, resting with her knees on the floor and her arms around the toilet for a few seconds.
She then felt James' hands on her arms, gently pulling her up.
"You OK?"
"Been better." He led her to the sink, turned the faucet on and began stroking her back. She splashed her face and cleaned her mouth. "Can you grab me my toothbrush?"
He handed it to her and watched as she started brushing her teeth with shaky hands. He reached for a towel and covered her. When she was done, she looked at him and finally noticed the look on his face.
"What?"
It was apprehensive and hopeful at the same time, filled with the usual adoration he always let it show when he looked at her.
"Do you think you might be pregnant?"
Her heart began to pound in her chest, but she answered in the first beat.
"No."
"Why not?"
"Believe me James, I'm not pregnant."
"How can you be sure?"
"I just am."
Except...
She started freaking out inside. She knew you could never be 100% sure when you were sexually active, no matter the contraceptive method. On the other hand, she also knew that chances were this was pure and simple food poisoning. Only it was hard to fight her anxieties at such moment, specially when James was looking so eager.
"OK..." He said, unable to hide a sneaky smile.
"I can't believe you're smiling when I feel like shit."
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry."
"No more dessert for me. I'm just gonna go to bed, I'm really tired."
"That's OK, we can always save it up for tomorrow."
She grabbed her towel and ignored the fact she hadn't even gotten to apply soap, deodorant, her night cream or anything. She was feeling too shitty to care.
-
She woke up the next morning with a hand stroking her hair. She stirred and then softly opened her eyes. James was smiling at her. She smiled back and yawned.
"Hey."
"Good morning."
She looked around and noticed the curtains were closed all around the room, which they rarely were. James always said he liked to wake up with the sun, he was an early riser. It was something Rachel had grown to get used to.
"What time is it?"
"It just turned 10." Her eyes opened wide and she tried to sit up, but James held her down gently. "I called in for you, said you were sick, which you are, so you're gonna have to stay in today, OK? I also called off my things so I can stay with you."
"But I had an important meeting at 8!"
"Not the way you're feeling, no."
"But I'm feeling better, James."
She realized she was probably being more hostile than she should. He was just worried.
"Are you really?"
"Yeah, I'm good." She said and this time smiled softly. "Thanks."
"So are you gonna go to work?"
Ah, what the hell.
"Nah, I think a deserve a day off in the middle of the week once in a lifetime."
He smiled at her.
"Good. I got you breakfast then, if you feel like eating now."
"Yeah. Thanks."
She started getting out of bed, but he stopped her.
"That's alright, I'll bring it to you. Just relax."
"OK."
He kissed the top of her head and left.
She took a deep breath and relaxed, she had to admit she liked being spoiled like this. She could hear James working in the distance, humming a song to himself. A few lazy minutes passed and she was almost falling asleep again when he returned, a tray in hands.
"You up?" He asked softly.
"Yeah, I'm up."
He set the tray in front of her and she noticed almost the whole thing was taken over by a silver food cover.
"Fancy." She commented.
He didn't say anything, he just smiled. Rachel got intrigued, it was that same smile from the previous night. Still with that in mind, she pulled the cover up by its handle, uncovering her breakfast. But, instead, she found a small black velvet box sitting in the middle of a silver plater.
Rachel had to control herself not to gasp. Was that what she thought it was?
"James, wha-what is it?"
"Open it."
Her mouth was dry and she felt herself shake slightly again. She reached for it and opened it. Inside, the most beautiful engagement ring she had ever seen in her life stared back at her. She felt her eyes water up and couldn't control the tears that followed.
"That's not exactly the reaction I was hoping for, you know?" He joked.
"Is this about last night?"
"What?"
"I'm not pregnant, James."
He took a deep breath.
"It's not about that. I was actually gonna do it last night, but then you got sick and the moment got ruined. This is just the cherry on the top. If you happen to be pregnant, I mean." He noticed the look in her eyes and corrected himself. "Which you're not, OK, I know." He smiled. "So... What do you say, Rach? Will you marry me?"
---
Mmm, the plot thickens! Hope you guys liked it and sorry it took me a while. But, hey, at least it wasn't three years again, huh? ;) I know the story's been kinda dumb, but it's just a silly story for me to have fun and relive my R&R fandom! And for that, I love it! :) Take care!