I'm assuming the movie has started because I've been in the bathroom for almost an hour now. I hear someone come in and realize it's Phoebe looking for me. I think I've cried out all the tears I had in me, but I still don't want to see her. I'm debating whether I can just kept silent and maybe she'll leave. I'm thinking that's a no when she starts calling my name and looking under the stalls.
"Yeah," I grumble. She pushes open the door to my stall, I left it unlocked.
"What are you doing?" she cocks her head at me.
"Hiding."
"Well, there's no need for that," she tells me and puts her hand out. I numbly accept her help and get up and out of the stall. We're over by the sinks and she turns right to me.
"You're missing the movie."
"I know," I state sadly.
"Joey's worried about you."
"I can't face him now."
"Why not?" she asks seriously.
"Because of what I did, I made you guys look like idiots! I ruined everything."
Phoebe smiles at me and I give her a strange look, which she nearly laughs at.
"Rachel, it was about time things ended, they had to eventually. In fact, I'm glad you finally broke us up." she jokes lightheartedly. I try to smile, but I still feel bad.
"I still should't have done it the way I did."
"Are you kidding? I loved it, it was so gutsy!" Phoebe marvels and I'm very surprised at this.
"Really?"
"Yeah, you were awesome! Besides, they're all gonna find out about you two anyway."
"You know?" I ask her hesitantly.
"Know what?"
"That Joey and I are together?"
"Oh, no… not that it's official. I just meant you will be because I know Joey's in love with you."
"What?" I suddenly choke on nothing.
"Yeah… he loves you?" Phoebe's not sure why I'm so shocked.
"How do you know this?"
"He told me…I just figured… oh no, didn't he tell you already?"
"No!" I blurt out and Phoebe covers her mouth with her hands.
"Oh no! I'm so sorry Rachel! I should have kept my big mouth shut! How could I have done this, now I'm the one who has ru-"
"Phoebe Phoebe!" I calm her. "It's okay. This is… incredible because I love him too," I confess genuinely to her, not really having to think it over much.
Her mouth quickly forms a relieved smile and she suddenly pulls me into a hug. I guess we were due for one some time. I hug her back, trying not to crush her now apparent baby bump. It feels nice since I'm filled with utter bliss at the moment anyway.
You know what, Phoebe's not half bad. I think I like her.
Phoebe and I sneak back into the theatre and instead of Phoebe sitting next to Joey, she switches spots with me so I can. No one even cares, their eyes are all glued on the huge screen in front of us. Joey quickly turns to me concerned.
"What happened, are you okay?" he whispers.
"Yeah, I'm sorry I missed the beginning," I answer in a hushed tone back.
"That's alright, but where'd you go," he keeps pressing for details.
I realize now that nothing else even matters anymore. Anything I said or did, everything's different now. No matter how long the world takes to accept it, the truth is, Joey and I can really be together now. That's all that matters and I'm sick of apologizing already.
He waits for me to answer, still holding a troubled expression. I could tell him how I hid out in the bathroom, afraid to face him and how Phoebe talked me back to my senses, and that's she's pretty awesome herself. Instead, I stop his worrying with one simple thing.
"I love you too."
He doesn't move and seems at a lost for words.
"Wha-"
"Just kiss me," I demand him. And after a brief moment of confusion, he does willingly. It's a wonderful, sweet kiss I would have liked to hold on to forever. Unfortunately, it's cut a bit short when we hear an "aww" coming from behind us. We break apart and see two girls , who were watching us the entire time. They look away with blushes and smiles and we smile awkwardly as each other. I turn back to finally watch his movie when I feel his breath by my ear.
"I love you too."
Author's Note: Keep reading for the birth of the child! (This is about four-five months into the pregnancy)