Chapter 10 - First Thanksgiving in England.

Monica and Chandler have decided to celebrate thanksgiving this year but since they are in England it will be very different since the English/British don't celebrate this holiday, Since the British don't celebrate this holiday everyones day is just a normal Thursday. Luckily Chandler was able to get the day off work, Monica was forutnatly off College this particular day since she does only 4 days a week now and her day off each week is a Thursday. Monica and Chandler decided to invite Samantha since she does live with them, they also invited a few other people so that it would be nicer for them and they get to share their American tradition with some of their new friends. Monica is busy in the kitchen making the traditional Thanksgiving food for everyone who shall be arriving at 6.00pm since most of them have work or College, They all agreed on 6.00pm since it is easier for everyone and gives Monica a lot more time to prepare and get ready to cook for everyone. Chandler is on the laptop trying to get a stream of the American Thanksgiving Parade since they always watch it and have since they met 3 years ago, when Ross bought Chandler home for Thanksgiving since his family were busy doing their own things. "Hey Mon, look I got it! Lets hope it doesn't go all funny later on when we actually want to watch the Parade." Chandler said whilst closing down the webpage on the laptop and shutting it down for now. "Thats great, I am sure it will be fine. We need to think about the time of here and when it will be showing in America as it will be probably late. I have college tomorrow and need my sleep tonight!" Monica said putting the Turkey back in the oven after basting it. Monica then puts on the Potatoes to cook ready to mash up later on. There is a knock at the door, "Could you get that please, I am about to go and get changed ready for everyone to get here." Monica said as Chandler goes to the door and opens it wide, his jaw then hits the floor not expecting who is on the other end at all and he pulls them all in for a hug and invites them in." How? When? Where?" Is all Chandler can manage to say as he takes all of their coats and they bring their suitcases in and tells them to sit on the couch. "Monica come out here for a minute" Chandler calls "Chandler what, I am trying to get ready for tonight." Monica said as she came out of the bedroom, kinda annoyed that he has interrupted her getting changed and trying to find something to wear. "Mom, Dad, Rachel Ross! When did you get here? You never told me you guys were coming to visit us." Monica said shocked and sits down on the chair near them. "We decided that we should all spend Thanksgiving together rather than apart so we flew down here this morning to surprise you." Jack Explained. "Well we certainly are surprised that is all I can say" Chandler said "We have some friends coming over tonight, so kinda glad that you have came over, you can meet them." Monica said. "That would be great, its really nice here. Such a pretty place to be. I bet its great to go shopping here" Rachel said "Yeah we will have to go one day. How long are you all here for?" Monica asked "We thought it would be nice to stay for the month until just before Christmas." Judy stated "Great, Are you staying here with us?" Chandler asked "We was hoping that two of us could stay here since the hotel is all full and only has 2 beds available." Ross said "I am sure we could find space for you somewhere." Monica said whilst getting up to make some tea or Coffee for their guests, also to check on the potatoes she put on earlier. "Do you need any help cooking Monica, Since you now have to cook for even more people?" Judy asked "I think I will be okay, although you can keep an eye on things whilst I go to finish changing, Hey Rach wanna help me pick on an outfit?" Monica said to her best friend "Yes I certainly do." Rachel said "Chandler can you show everyone else around please whilst we are busy?" Monica asked "Of course, I shall show them the downstairs first and the laundry room and stuff." Chandler said getting up to show his girlfriends brother and parents around the area where they live. "Samantha should be back soon so make sure you don't lock the door, she forgot her key this morning." Monica reminded him, although she would still be there with Rachel to wait for their guests she didn't want to have to worry about listening for the door.

After Chandler had taken the others Rachel and Monica went into her and Chandlers bedroom to pick out something for Monica to wear that night. "I can't believe you guys are all here for almost a month, it will be so fun." Monica said whilst taking all the possibilities of clothes she could wear out of the wardrobe. "I really can't wait to catch up with you properly and see all the sights and pretty much go shopping and do everything here." Rachel said picking up a dress putting it away. "I know me either, It will be really fun but my college and everything does come before shopping." Monica said just as she hears the front door bang closed. "Samantha must be home, I really like this dress so I think is the option to wear." Monica said holding up a really pretty floaty leopard print dress, as Rachel nods and leaves the room for Monica to get changed.

Out in the living room Samantha is sitting on the couch when she notices someone she has never met before come out of Monica's bedroom, She knows exactly who it is though since Monica goes on about her all the time and has showed her pictures and everything of her. "Hi, You must be Monica's friend Rachel, I am Samantha." Samantha said politely whilst extending her hand out to shake it. "Urm hi. How do you know my name?" Rachel asked "Are you kidding Monica talks about you all of the time, and we spoke on the phone that time remember?" Samantha said. "Oh yeah. Really she talks about me all the time?" Rachel said sitting down next to her "Of course, you are her best friend, you have been friends a long time." Samantha said as Monica came into the room. "I see you two have met then." Monica said "Yeah." Samantha said "So I was wondering if its cool if Rachel and Ross stay here for a while since the hotel only had space for mom and dad?" Monica asked Samantha "Of course its fine, you guys do live here too. Besides it will be fun with more of us here, the more the merrier." Samantha said really cool about it. "Great, I guess one of you can stay in the little room and one of you on the couch since it will be really cramped in that tiny closet room for you both." Monica said. "Anywhere is great." Rachel said. "Besides you know it will be a little more cramped soon anyway, it will give up practice for when it is cramped completely." Samantha said "That is very true. Did you talk to Danny after work?" Monica asked "Yeah, he was like totally insisting on staying at his place with his parents and won't move out at all, so I'm just going to leave him to do whatever he wants its his choice but the offer is there if he wants to take it." Samantha claimed "He is really strange." Monica said "No he is an only child and gets whatever he wants whenever he wants. Its called being spolit, he won't move out unless its his own place and his parents are paying for it." Samantha said "He sounds really silly then." Rachel said trying not to offend anyone "He is an idiot." Samantha said "Rachel don't you usually go skiiing with your family for Thanksgiving?" Monica said "Sometimes but I really would much rather come here and see you since it has been a while and besides I missed you way too much especially since we used to see each other pretty much everyday before you moved here." Rachel said "Awwww, thats really sweet. I missed you so much too. Samantha kinda filled a hole for something to talk about and everything but she hasn't known me for as long as you have so its different." Monica said "Don't worry its the same with everyone, I mean my old friends from school, I hardly see them any more they are all busy with their own lives and its crazy but when I get the change to see them I take it. I get what you mean when you say its not the same talking to me as it is to Rachel because it is completely different." Samantha said just as Chandler and Monica's family come back into the apartment after their little tour. "Rachel and Ross shall be staying with us. Samantha is cool with it and said we should get used to it being busy and crowded especially if Danny does decide to move in." Monica said after greeting everyone "Which isn't likely to happen at the moment with the way he is acting. I need to get ready for everyone to come over." Samantha said whilst going into her bedroom.

All of Monica's family are sitting around the table with Monica, Chandler, Rachel, Samantha and a few of their other friends. It is really crowded but luckily there was enough food for everyone and even some leftover for the next day. They all had a great time and having so much fun with their friends and family, by the time they realised it was 11.00pm and everyone had just left, Monica's parents went back to their hotel by walking as it is a short walk away ans Chandler showed them the way earlier. Just Monica, Chandler and Samantha are still up as Ross and Rachel both went to bed since they had a long flight that day and were exhausted after meeting everyone. "Today was so fun, meeting your family. They are all so lovely and nice." Samantha said to Monica "I am really glad you like them, I am so happy that you finally met them and they really like you, Thank you for making them feel so welcome." Monica said. "Its okay, I don't want them all to feel left out, thats not fair. Besides I know what it feels like to be left out and it isn't fun or nice." Samantha said. "I am so tired and we have to be up early tomorrow morning so I am going to bed. Oh and I promised Rachel I would take her shopping on Saturday did you wany to come with us?" Monica asked "That would be really fun, I get to know her a little better then too, since we will be living together for a while that would be great to get to know her." Samantha replied getting up to go into her room to sleep as did Monica, Chandler was already asleep on the couch and Monica didn't want to disturb him so left him there for the night.

I hope you have all enjoyed this chapter.

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