A/N: Hello everyone. It's been a month now, and I apologize. SORRY!
Disclaimer: You know the drill, I still own nothing.
(Monica)
Monica paced the kitchen, phone in her hand, listening to her mother's seemingly never-ending rant about Chandler.
"I don't know what to tell you Mom!...Yes, I know I didn't tell you about him...Yes, I know you never really liked Chandler, but Mom, you are not the one dating him!"
Monica stopped and rested her elbows on her kitchen counter.
"You're being unreasonable! I love Chandler, okay? He's great, he's funny, he's caring, he's sweet, and he loves me! Is that so terrible?... Uh-huh, and he's the same age as Ross! That's why you didn't like me dating Richard, wasn't it?" Monica yelled. She paused as her mother launched into a full-scale attack on her relationships - past and present.
Monica sighed, burying her head in her hands. "Mom...Mom...MOM!" Monica yelled into the phone, attempting to interrupt her mother's tirade. "Please let it go. I'm sure...Darren...was lovely, but for god's sake Mom, I'm not going to go out with him just because you don't like Chandler! Nine months we've been dating, Mom! This is one of the longest relationships I've ever been in! I'm happy! Why can't you just accept it?" Monica continued yelling, but her mother kept going.
"Yeah, well I didn't ask you to set me up - don't try to turn this back on me," Monica said bitterly.
She heard the door of her apartment open and Rachel's sighs as she entered.
"Mom, I'll talk to you later." She hung up the phone quickly, before her mom could protest,and turned to face her friend.
"Everything okay, Rach?"
Rachel responded with a glare. "No, everything is NOT okay. That stupid client made a complaint about me! He actually claimed that I was deliberately giving him all the expensive clothes! So what? I mean, if you saw this guy, not even our best clothes could make him look good! Two days I've been stuck with him! It feels like two years! I just couldn't take it anymore! So my boss sent me home for the rest of the day to 'cool off.'" She groaned.
"Cool off?" Monica repeated.
Rachel looked at her guiltily. "Well, I... I may have TOLD the client what I just told you. About the expensive clothes. And he didn't really like that. And we may or may not have started shouting at each other in the store," Rachel replied sheepishly.
"Rach!"
Rachel groaned. "Mon, I know! I know I shouldn't have but god, it was SO worth it to see the look on his face when he told him!" She flung herself onto the couch and buried her head in a pillow.
Monica rolled her eyes. "You've got to apologize to him."
Rachel popped up from the couch, a pained expression on her face. "I did already! In the store before I left!"
Monica raised an eyebrow, looking at Rachel suspiciously.
"ALRIGHT FINE! So it wasn't really an apology. Ugh, I'll find his number at work tomorrow." Rachel got up from the couch. "I think I'll go for a walk and clear my head. You wanna come with?" she asked.
Monica shook her head. "Chandler promised he'd be home soon."
Rachel shrugged. "Suit yourself."
She went into her room and got changed, reappearing moments later, fully dressed in her running gear.
"See you later!" she said somewhat cheerfully as she left.
Monica decided to nap until Chandler came home. She needed to plan out how to bring up the subject of the previous night.
"Mon, I'm back!"
Monica ran from her bedroom and into Chandler's arms, reaching up and kissing him passionately. He seemed surprised, but didn't resist. When she broke away a minute or two later, he held up his hands, asking for an explanation. "Not that I'm complaining, but what was that?"
Monica smiled shyly. "I missed you, that's all."
His mouth broke into a wide grin. "Well, I missed you too," he said, smiling as he leaned in for another kiss. Monica responded eagerly, wrapping her arms around his neck and running her fingers through his hair.
"Mmmm..." Chandler sighed involuntarily.
Monica gently pulled away and rested her head on his shoulder.
"Chandler, we need to -"
The door of her apartment swung open.
I can't catch a break! Monica thought, sighing inwardly.
Rachel appeared in the doorway, no longer dressed in her running clothes.
Wow, how long was I asleep that Rachel had time to come back, and change, and then leave again, she wondered.
"Ross and I are going to meet Phoebe and Joey at the movies. Do you guys want to join us?"
Chandler and Monica shared a look, Monica silently pleading with Chandler not to accept Rachel's invite. Luckily, he understood.
He casually threw his arm around her shoulder. "Actually Rach, I'm really beat after work today, so I think we'll just watch a movie here." He glanced at Monica, seeming to seek confirmation that that was indeed what she wanted. She nodded slightly, and Chandler continued speaking with confidence. "Yeah, and it's been a while since we've both been off work before 8pm so, rain check?" he finished cheerfully.
Rachel smirked, clearly assuming that they just wanted some alone time.
"Sure sure, that's fine, rain check," Rachel said. She paused to slyly wink at Monica while Chandler looked over towards the rain pounding violently against the window of the girl's apartment. She turned on her heel and walked out of the apartment, shouting "I'll see you guys later!" as she left.
Monica sighed as the apartment door closed gently. Chandler placed his hands gently on her hips and gazed into her eyes.
"So, movie?" he asked, suddenly appearing unsure whether the 'movie at home' plan was serious or just a ruse to get rid of Rachel.
Monica stood up on her toes and kissed his nose lightly. "Yeah, and I'm feeling nice this evening, so I'll even let you pick.
Chandler feigned a look of shock. "Mon, are you sure? You feeling alright?" he joked.
She rolled her eyes and punched him in the bicep. "Ow ow ow!," he exclaimed.
"Stop being such a baby!" she laughed.
He glared at her, not taking kindly to her lack of sympathy to his painful plight.
"You just hit me! You are freakishly strong, and you just hit me! I think I should be allowed a bit of moaning!" He rolled up his shirt sleeve, revealing his deceptively large bicep. He squinted at the spot where Monica had punched him and grimaced. "Yeah, that's going to leave a mark," he moaned.
Monica rolled her eyes again. "Jeez, you really know how to make a girl feel good about herself," she muttered sarcastically, feeling oddly hurt by his accusation.
His face immediately contorted into one of pain. "C'mon Mon, you know I didn't mean it like that."
She sniffed, blinking back a solitary tear which had formed in the corner of her eye. "Yeah, I know."
He took a step towards her, taking her hand and gently pulling her towards the couch. She sat down and watched him search the cabinet beneath the television for a film they could enjoy.
"Okay...uh... Die Hard? Weekend at Bernies? Liar Liar? The Breakfast Club? Uh..." He removed a dusty box from the back of the cabinet and wiped it furiously with his sleeve. When the writing became visible, he stared incredulously at the box for a minute before transferring the same look of disbelief to Monica.
"Casablanca? I thought you didn't like Humphrey Bogart!"
Monica shrugged. "It's Rachel's. And it's not that I don't like him, I just don't like the movie. I don't understand why Rick can't just tell Ilsa he loves her instead of using 'Here's looking at you, kid'."
Chandler looked momentarily confused. "Wait, that's what that means?" He shook his head in disbelief. "This film makes so much more sense now!"
Monica couldn't help but laugh at Chandler's little moment of realization. "When was the last time you watched it?"
Chandler cocked his head to the left. "Uhh, sometime in college. I remember watching it with Ross and Carol and Carol's roommate. It was just a few months after Ross and Carol started dating and they decided to set me up with Carol's roommate so the two of us wouldn't feel left out."
He started laughing, obviously remembering the evening. "It was awful. Ross and Carol started making out half way through, and the two of us were just left watching this film that neither of us liked. I didn't understand it. Neither of us were attracted to each other - I remember turning to her at the end to ask if she wanted to grab a coffee or something while Ross and Carol...y'know...and she told me not to try to kiss her because she liked someone else and she was pretty sure he was going to ask her out." He grimaced. "One of those few special times I got shot down when I wasn't even trying to do anything," he said. "Anyway, so yeah, it was a few years ago. Any decision on which movie do you want to watch?"
Monica waved her hand dismissively. "Just pick one you want."
Chandler shrugged, and shoved some video that Monica didn't see into the VCR. She leaned back against the cushions and closed her eyes, listening to the starting theme of a movie she didn't recognise. She heard Chandler moving behind her, glasses and bottles clinking, and he returned moments later with two glasses of champagne. She opened her eyes, he handed a glass to Monica, and she raised her glass to clink against his.
"Cheers!" she said.
"Cheers," he agreed. He sipped the drink and gazed at Monica.
"Hey, Mon." He grinned, raising his glass once more. "Here's looking at you, kid." Monica stared back, trying to hide the smile that threatened to take over her face. He smiled a charming smile, and, leaning over to her ear whispered, "I love you, Monica."
He leaned back on the couch, and she rested her head on his shoulder, her eyes closed. "I love you too, Chandler."
Chandler yawned and stretched his arm casually over her shoulder, and they sat back to enjoy the movie. Before she knew it, she was asleep.
Monica opened her eyes and blinked as she stretched her arms. She realized that there was someone beside her, and turning her head she saw Chandler grinning down at her.
"Hey, sleepyhead," he said, still smiling.
"Hey," Monica mumbled. "How long was I asleep?"
Chandler laughed.
He really does have a wonderful laugh, Monica thought to herself.
"About 20 minutes into the 2 hour long movie, which is now over. I take it you weren't enjoying it?" He laughed again.
"Mmm," Monica whispered mumbled again.
She was snuggled up on the couch under a blanket, head resting on his shoulder and his arm draped around her. He kissed her forehead, and she moved closer, sitting on his lap.
"I've missed you Mon," he whispered.
She knew exactly how he felt. They had spent every day together since they had found out about the miscarriage, but it had been awkward, and every time Monica tried to discuss what Chandler had told her while he was drunk, something had interrupted her.
This was her opportunity.
"We need to talk."
Chandler grimaced. "Four words nobody ever wants to hear," he laughed, awkwardly. He wrapped both arms around her waist.
"Everything okay?"
She fidgeted in his arms, unsure how to begin the conversation.
"We haven't really talked about what Dr. Andrews said we should talk about," she said quickly. "And I think we should do that now, because it's starting to eat away at me."
Chandler nodded. "Okay then," he said.
Monica sighed. "Okay. Well...You know, that I...That I have..."
"That you've always wanted children," Chandler finished for her.
Monica smiled. "Yes, exactly. I've always wanted a child. I still do. And... I didn't really know it before...But now that we've had a scare...I'm pretty sure that I...That I...want them with you," she finished, biting her lip.
Chandler stared at the couch for a few moments.
"Chandler?"
He removed one hand from her waist and ran his fingers though his hair, breathing in and out deeply.
"Wow," he said softly.
Monica didn't know what to say. "Wow what, Chandler?"
He shook his head. "You...You really think you want to have a kid...with me?" he asked, almost disbelieving.
Monica nodded shyly. "Yeah. I...I really think I do."
He nodded again. "Okay...Okay. I gave it...Some thought. Actually, I gave it a lot of thought over the past week. I was never really...Y'know, keen on having children. I wasn't against them, but until you and I...started, well y'know, dating, I could barely commit to a woman. Kids were never even an idea. But when I found out that we could have had one but it was just ripped away from us...I was upset, y'know? I started thinking about what it might be like, to be a dad. And I was walking through the park when I saw a little boy and a girl and their parents. They looked so happy. And I was jealous, because they got two little kids, and we didn't even get one. I realized then, that yeah. I would like to have children. Not right now. Maybe not even this year, or the year after. But someday, I'd like them," he said. He gave Monica a sideways smile. "And there's no one in the world I'd rather have them with than you," he finished.
Monica could feel tears forming in her eyes. Chandler saw them and wiped them away as he leaned in and kissed to kiss her softly.
"I love you, Monica Geller."
She smiled at him through watery eyes.
"And I love you, Chandler Bing."
Monica leaned back and rested her head against his chest, just listening to his heartbeat. A thought struck her and she sat up again.
"You know, I kinda knew you had thought about children," she said, a guilty smile on her face.
Chandler looked shocked. "Really? How?"
Monica grinned. "You were talking about it that night you came home drunk last week."
Chandler shuddered involuntarily at the memory. "God, I can't remember mentioning anything." He cocked his head to the side. "Are you sure?"
Monica nodded, laughing. "Yes Chandler, I remember very clearly. I was surprised to say the least! You asked me if I wanted a 'kiddie', then proceeded to tell me that you wanted one too."
But that's not all you said, she thought. Now or never, Geller.
"Huh," Chandler scratched his head in confusion. "Did I say anything else?"
Monica bit her lip, unsure whether to bring up the subject of marriage. They had already discussed children - wasn't that enough for one night?
TELL HIM MONICA. Otherwise it'll eat away at you. You'll always want to know.
"Mon?"
She sighed deeply, moving her face into the crook of his neck, where it rested comfortably.
"Yeah, you said some other things too," she said uncomfortably.
He moved back to look at her, refusing to break eye contact. This was bad. She rarely made rational decisions when looking into his eyes. She always got distracted. They were such a beautiful colour, like the sea on a sunny -
FOCUS GELLER. Look away, she told herself.
"Mon? You're scaring me now. Did I say something bad?" he asked, a concerned expression taking over his beautiful face.
She shook her head rapidly. "No, no! Nothing bad! Just...Just something that I'm not sure you're ready to hear. Something I'm not sure you'd want to hear."
His cheeks were turning pale and he looked sick with worry. "Okay Mon, spit it out. You have me very worried."
Monica couldn't bring herself to look into his eyes. "You...uh...you mentioned that you were going to...uh...marry me." She fiddled with the buttons of her shirt awkwardly, not wanting to look at him while he took in the news.
He surprised her by breathing a sigh of pure relief.
"Was that all? God Mon, You had me terrified! I was worried I had said something awful about you in my sleep or something!"
Monica raised one eyebrow and Chandler quickly tried to backtrack.
"I mean, not that I'd ever say anything bad about you, because I love you so much...And uh, obviously I couldn't say anything bad about you, because you are perfect to me," he said quickly, smiling his 'I'm sorry, I love you, please don't kill me' smile. "I love you," he added.
Monica was trying not to smile, but when he smiled like that, it was so hard to stay mad at him.
Not to mention his eyes. God, they're just so blue. How did I only notice this about a year ago?
"Mon," he said slowly, dragging out the word. "Are you okay?"
She stared at him, one eyebrow still raised.
"So...To sum up. You do want to have children...not now, but at some point." He nodded in reassurance. "And you do intend to marry me...someday." She couldn't help smiling at that one, and again he nodded.
"Okay. Well, that was easier than I expected thought."
Now it was Chandler's turn to raise an eyebrow. "Were you anticipating this going badly?"
Monica's cheeks turned slightly pink.
"Not...badly. But you took the news so much better than I expected!"
He grinned. "That's good then." He leaned in and kissed her on the lips, savouring the moment. She gently pushed him down onto the couch, not breaking the kiss.
"Mmm," Monica sighed happily.
Chandler raised an eyebrow. "Bedroom?" he asked, sounding almost uncomfortable as he finished the word.
Monica winked at him, and all traces of discomfort faded from his face. He slid from the couch gently and, in one fluid motion, scooped Monica into his arms and charged towards the bedroom, slowing slightly to allow her to kick the door open, and slam it shut behind them the couple.
A/N: Okay you guys, this is the penultimate chapter ie. the next one will be the last one. And I promise it will not be a month before I upload it.