Hey there, I am back. Now this must be some record, you would think. I will bet you all jumped off your seats after seeing this update. Chill, I am only kidding. Anyways, I have done something new in this chapter, something I never thought I would be able to blend into my writing. So read the update to see if you know what I mean.
"So tell me, how did it happen?" Monica asked Rachel about her relationship with Ross. Both of them had come for a long overdue lunch date with Phoebe on tha weekend.
Rachel smiled and sipped her wine. "Uhh.. I don't know, I mean.. one minute Phoebe sets me up on a disastrous date, who, by the way, was the same guy who smoked pot when you cooked for him for a job at his restaurant-"
"Are you kidding me?" Monica looked incredulously at Phoebe.
"Well, that was the plan" Phoebe smirked.
"Yea, and get this, He now sells t-shirt with weird quotes on them" Rachel cringed at the very thought of 'Female Body Inspector' tee. "Anyways. the next thing I know is Ross and I are sitting at the coffee shop, and reconnecting. I remember we started wondering why she and Joey would set us up on such horrible dates, and then, I don't know, I guess.." She sighed with relief and a content smile on her face "..we finally let our guards down-"
"And stopped being stupid" Monica finished for her, earning a chuckle from both Rachel and Phoebe.
"So it all happened because of Phoebe.. Yayy!" Phoebe said pointing to herself, clearly excited for the lobsters.
"And Joey, of course. I seriously would have killed you after that date, if it wasn't for Ross and I getting back together" Rachel said, only half-joking, pointing her fork.
"And how's it going with you two?" Phoebe asked taking a spoon full of her salad.
"It's going great" Rachel said with her eyes shining. "He's been so amazing, and he has changed, you know.. for the better"
Monica and Phoebe smiled.
"I mean, don't get me wrong okay? He was the best boyfriend the last time we were together, but now, he's even outdoing himself, and you know what's the best part?"
Both of them remained silent to let a love-struck Rachel continue.
"He remembers every little detail about me" Rachel gushed with a dreamy look.
"Of course he does, Rach. He has been in love with you for like, whoa, 20 years now. Just took a little longer for the buffoon to realise that" Monica joked about her big brother, making Rachel and Phoebe break into fits of laughters.
"Come on, Em.. Give your Uncle Joey a cute little smile" Joey said in baby voice. He was playing with Emma on the floor as Ross had an emergency meeting at the university and Rachel was out with Phoebe and Monica. Molly was still busy in her family crisis.
Emma crawled over to Hugsy and started pulling at the stuffed animal. Joey pouted like a little kid and followed Emma. He tried to make her let go off Hugsy but Emma won't oblige. Jeesh, this baby is strong, he thought.
"Hey Emma" she turned around at the source of the sound, became really happy to see her daddy, so she let go off the toy and crawled towards him. Ross quickly made his way inside and picked his little angel in his arms while Joey hugged his bedtime penguin pal.
"Aww, you missed Daddy, huh?" She smiled as he bounced her in his arms. "Well, Daddy missed you too"
"And did Daddy miss Mommy?" He heard Rachel enter. They kissed.
"Aww.. look at you guys, it's almost like I've gone back six years in time"
Ross and Rachel smiled, looking at each other.
"Only Emma wasn't there at the time but.. " Joey narrowed his eyes a little, just like he does when he childishly signals Emma to stay away from Hugsy on the show. He returned to his bedroom, leaving the family of three alone.
"So how was your date?" Ross asked, as he followed Rachel to her bedroom, still carrying Emma. She settled her purse down and sat on the bed to get rid off her boots.
"Ahh.. just the usual, delicious lunch, all thanks to your sister.." Ross smiled, stroking Emma's hair. "And the girly talk"
"What about?"
"You" Rachel said casually, massaging her ankle.
"Really?" He asked putting Emma down in her crib as he felt her breathing deeply.
"Yea.. just like we used to when we were together the last time" She got up and walked the small distance "God, Joey was right. It's like we have travelled back in time" She smiled, encircling his neck with her arms. He softly held her wrists.
"I hope it is not so bad to be back in time" Ross asked kissing her arm.
"Not at all, I love talking about you with the girls" Rachel said looking deep into his eyes, giving him a soft peck. He leaned in to kiss her neck while his hands started to run all over her back.
"Hmmm... So what do you want to do today?" Rachel asked, combing her fingers through his hair. When he didn't stop his processions or replied to her question, she continued "I was thinking maybe we could take Emma out to the park, what do you say?"
He pulled away and looked at her funnily.
"What?"
"You, Rachel Greene, would go to the park?" Ross asked her as it was the most weird suggestion, remembering her fear of swings in high school.
"Yeah, why?" She asked not really knowing the meaning of his words.
"Nothing, I mean.. there are going to be monsterous swings, you know. Are ya- Are you sure about-" He chuckled on what he was about to say. "-risking the length of these hair of yours?" Ross laughed and earned a slap on the cheek by Rachel.
"FYI, Emma loves them and I can do anything for her" She softly said while stroking his cheek with the pad of her thumb. The way she said it made his heart melt and he kissed her forehead, making her smile.
"This one's good" Rachel said as she clicked a picture of Ross and Emma on the swings, on her new Polaroid. Emma was laughing uncontrollably and Ross just admired his princess. A Kodak moment, she smiled to herself.
"Come.. show!" He yelled. She walked and showed it to him as he tightly held Emma. He smiled and showed it to Emma who grabbed the thin sheet and started to fiddle with it.
"Do you think she knows the difference? I mean, I feel she is happier that we spend time with her, you know.. both of us..together" Rachel asked him as they started walking towards the picnic bench.
"Kids are smart, you know" He simply said.
Rachel chuckled, keeping her hand on Emma's back while still walking. "Yea.. especially Emma, she gets it from you" Ross smiled proudly and turned to Rachel.
"I'm relieved to have some proof that I took a part in her birth. I mean.. look at her" And she did. "She's so gorgeous, it's all you" This always made her smile.
"Well, I, for a fact, know you were definitely there" Rachel said provocatively into his ear.
"It was quite a night, wasn't it?" Ross reminisced as he settled Emma in her stroller.
"Yea.. it really was" Rachel said looking at him kissing their baby and pulling her stroller just next to where he sat on the bench. "You really are an amazing daddy" Ross turned to look at her and was about to say something when..
"Dada!" They heard Emma. They both smiled emotionally at her first words, looking at each other. Rachel rushed to their side as Ross kneeled down to his daughter.
"Aww.. Emma, say it again. Say Dada" Ross pleaded, kissing her hand.
"Emma.. can you say Mommy? Say mommy" Rachel said. Emma just looked at her parents going nuts.
"Ma-Da!" She exclaimed again, making Ross and Rachel laugh.
"Ross? Ross Geller?"
"Yes?" Ross said uncertainly looking up at the source of the voice. Rachel turned around to see who was there.
"I'm Sarah James, remember?"
"Sarah, of course. Sorority Sarah" He got up and hugged her. Rachel felt a familiar feeling in the pit of her stomach.
"Long time.. How are you? Last thing I know you were proposing to Carol"
"Well, yeah... we're divorced, actually"
"Oh I'm so sorry" She kept her hand on his shoulder, making Rachel even more uncomfortable.
"Oh no.. we ended on good terms. We even have a son, his name's Ben. He's almost 8"
"That's good"
"What about you? Still staying away from commitment?"
She laughed. "I'm actually looking for my soulmate now. Got bored of the flings" She eyed Ross in a way that Rachel could not resist her urge to clear her throat.
"Oh, I'm sorry.. Rachel, this is Sarah. We went to college together. And Sarah, this is my girlfriend, Rachel" Ross encircled her waist, pulling her closer.
"Oh.." Rachel sensed a disappointment in her voice but smiled nonetheless. "And who is this little beauty?" Sarah pointed at Emma.
"This is our daughter, Emma" Rachel looked lovingly at her angel.
"Looks like you've been busy, huh?" Sarah said.
Ross smiled sheepishly. "Hey, didn't you get a job in DC?" Ross asked and they talked for a while. And while Rachel could only observe their interaction, she never felt more invisible to Ross.
So you see what I did there. I brought another character. Let me know your thoughts about Sarah. I have yet to decide how to approach her angle in the story. Looking forward to your opinions, though. So do not leave until you write a review. Thanks!
